July 25, 2016
President of the Maori Womens Welfare League, Prue Kapua on Paakiwaha
President of the Maori Womens Welfare League, Prue Kapua on Paakiwaha
Superu has just released its latest Families and Whānau Status Report, which explores the wellbeing of New Zealand’s families and whānau. This year’s research focuses on ethnic differences in how our families are faring and a greater understanding of who Mäori describe as their ‘whānau’.
President of the Maori Womens Welfare League Prue Kapua talks with Willie Jackson about this kaupapa
Clare Ward, Superu’s chief executive, says that this research is important because families and whānau are the building blocks of our society.
"Whānau are a significant socialising influence in our lives, so their wellbeing is important," says Ms Ward. "One in five families includes at least one member who identifies as Mäori. Our findings have implications for social development, housing, education, health, Māori development and economic development."
Findings of particular relevance to whānau
This research draws on Te Kupenga (the Maori Social Survey) to give us a greater understanding of who Maori describe as their whānau. The analysis reaffirms the pre-eminence of whakapapa (genealogical) relations as the foundation of whānau.
This research also suggests that a number of factors are related to whether individuals see their whānau as encompassing extended whānau, such as demographic factors, specifically older age and place of residence, a basic connection to one’s ancestral marae and a high regard for being involved with Mäori culture.
Mäori with ready access to cultural support are also much more likely to see their whakapapa whānau in a broad sense, for example those who engage in kaupapa Mäori education and/or use Te Reo in the home are more likely to broadly define their whānau as including non-relatives.
Family wellbeing analysis for Maori families
The report also presents an ethnic sub-group analysis of the family wellbeing framework indicators. The results suggest that:
-Two-parent Mäori families with younger children tend to have stronger family connections and community engagement when compared to similar families nationally, although face financial and housing difficulties.
-Single-parent families with younger children of all ethnicities face financial and psychological stresses and struggle with employment and skills, although single Mäori parents tend to have higher family and community engagement.
-Two-parent Mäori families with adult children tend to have good wellbeing results in general.
-Single-parent Mäori families with adult children are doing relatively well economically but may have poor health outcomes and weaker connections to extended families when compared to similar families nationally.
-Younger Mäori couples (both aged under 50 years) are more likely to volunteer and provide extended family support when compared to similar families nationally, however they are less likely to have a post-secondary qualification. This raises potential concerns about their ability to improve their income levels over time.
-Older Mäori couples (one or both aged over 50 years) tend to live in deprived neighbourhoods and have housing problems when compared to similar families nationally. They also face health issues, which have potential implications for family functioning and the need for assistance and family support.
Ms Ward says that these findings reinforce the need for policies to include a focus on economic security, housing and education.
"It is essential that policies to support and strengthen whānau need to be based on evidence that accurately reflects Māori values and realities.
"This body of research will help social sector agencies make better decisions to improve the lives of New Zealand’s families, whānau and their communities," says Ms Ward.
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