Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-22dnz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-26T01:07:32.727Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Kaumātua mana motuhake in action: developing a culture-centred peer support programme for managing transitions in later life

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2019

Mary Louisa Simpson Open the ORCID record for Mary Louisa Simpson [Opens in a new window] ,
Hineiti-Moana Greensill ,
Sophie Nock ,
Pare Meha ,
Truely Harding ,
Pita Shelford ,
Brendan Hokowhitu ,
John Oetzel  and
Rangimahora Reddy
Mary Louisa Simpson*
Affiliation:
Waikato Management School, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
Hineiti-Moana Greensill
Affiliation:
Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
Sophie Nock
Affiliation:
Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
Pare Meha
Affiliation:
Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust, New Zealand
Truely Harding
Affiliation:
Waikato Management School, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
Pita Shelford
Affiliation:
Waikato Management School, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
Brendan Hokowhitu
Affiliation:
Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
John Oetzel
Affiliation:
Waikato Management School, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
Rangimahora Reddy
Affiliation:
Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust, New Zealand
*
*Corresponding author. Email: mary.simpson@waikato.ac.nz
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

New Zealand's ageing population and health inequities for Māori (Indigenous peoples) have prompted calls for innovative, culturally based approaches to improving health and wellbeing, and managing transitions in later life. This is particularly important for kaumātua (Māori elders) who, despite cultural strength and resilience, carry a significant burden in health, economic and social inequities. This paper describes the culture-centred development of a ‘tuakana‒teina’ (elder sibling‒younger sibling) peer support education programme designed to help kaumātua support other kaumātua experiencing transitions in later life. Taking a strengths-based approach that highlights ‘kaumātua mana motuhake’ (elder independence and autonomy), the study used kaupapa Māori (Māori approach, knowledge, skills, attitudes and values) and community-based participatory research methodology, to develop and pilot a culture-centred tuakana‒teina/peer education programme. Methods included establishing two advisory groups (one of kaumātua and one of sector experts); holding five focus groups with kaumātua; and running a pilot programme with 21 kaumātua. The findings demonstrate the value in a strengths-based approach that centralises Māori culture and kaumātua potential, capacity and ability, and recognises the continuing value and contribution of kaumātua to society. The study helps shift the focus from dominant stereotypes of ageing populations as a burden on society and shows the value of kaumātua supporting others during transitions in later life.

Keywords

older adultskaumātuaculture-centredpeer educationlife transitionsageing
Type
Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 40 , Issue 8 , August 2020 , pp. 1822 - 1845
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ageing Well National Science Challenge (nd) Ageing Well National Science Challenge Kia eke kairangi ki te taikaumātuatanga. Available at https://www.ageingwellchallenge.co.nz/.Google Scholar
Anderson, I, Robson, B, Connolly, M, Al-Yaman, F, Bjertness, E, King, A, Tynan, M, Madden, R, Bang, A, Coimbra, C, Pesantes, M, Amigo, H, Andronov, S, Armien, B, Obando, D, Axelsson, P, Bhatti, Z, Bhutta, Z, Bjerregaard, P, Bjertness, M, Briceno-Leon, R, Broderstad, A, Bustos, P, Chongsuvivatwong, V, Chu, J, Deji, J, Gouda, R, Harikumar, T, Htay, A, Htet, C, Izugbara, M, Kamaka, M, King, M, Kodavanti, M, Lara, A, Laxmaiah, C, Lema, A, Taborda, T, Liabsuetrakul, A, Lobanov, M, Melhus, I, Meshram, J, Miranda, T, Mu, B, Nagalla, A, Nimmathota, A, Popov, A, Poveda, F, Ram, H, Reich, R, Santos, A, Sein, C, Shekhar, L, Sherpa, P, Skold, S, Tano, A, Tanywe, C, Ugwu, F, Ugwu, P, Vapattanawong, X, Wan, J, Welch, G, Yang, Z, Yang, L and Yap, L (2016) Indigenous and tribal peoples’ health (The Lancet–Lowitja Institute Global Collaboration): a population study. The Lancet 388, 131–157.10.1016/S0140-6736(16)00345-7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Antonucci, TC, Birditt, KS, Sherman, CW and Trinh, S (2011) Stability and change in the intergenerational family: a convoy approach. Ageing & Society 31, 1084–1106.10.1017/S0144686X1000098XCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Associate Minister of Health (2016) Healthy Ageing Strategy. Wellington: Ministry of Health.Google Scholar
Baker, M, Zhang, J, Blakely, T, Crane, J, Saville-Smith, K and Howden-Chapman, P (2016) Collaborating with a social housing provider supports a large cohort study of the health effects of housing conditions. BMC Public Health 16. doi:10.1186/s12889-016-2730-9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Basu, A and Dutta, MJ (2009) Sex workers and HIV/AIDS: analyzing participatory culture-centered health communication strategies. Human Communication Research 35, 86–114.10.1111/j.1468-2958.2008.01339.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Braun, V and Clarke, V (2006) Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology 3, 77–101.10.1191/1478088706qp063oaCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dennis, C-L (2003) Peer support within a health care context: a concept analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies 40, 321–332.10.1016/S0020-7489(02)00092-5Google ScholarPubMed
Dulin, PL, Stephens, C, Alpass, F, Hill, RD and Stevenson, B (2011) The impact of socio-contextual, physical and lifestyle variables on measures of physical and psychological wellbeing among Māori and non-Māori: the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study. Ageing & Society 3, 1406–1424.10.1017/S0144686X10001479CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Durie, M (1985) A Māori perspective of health. Social Science and Medicine 20, 483–486.10.1016/0277-9536(85)90363-6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Durie, M (2003) Ngā Kāhui Pou: Launching Māori Futures. Auckland: Huia.Google Scholar
Dutta, MJ (2007) Communicating about culture and health: theorizing culture-centred and cultural sensitivity approaches. Communication Theory 17, 304–328.10.1111/j.1468-2885.2007.00297.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dutta, MJ (2008) Communication Health: A Culture-centered Approach. Malden, MA: Polity Press.Google ScholarPubMed
Dutta, MJ, Anaele, A and Jones, C (2013) Voices of hunger: addressing health disparities through the culture-centered approach. Journal of Communication 63, 159–180.10.1111/jcom.12009CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dwyer, J, Boulton, A, Lavoie, JG, Tenbensel, T and Cumming, J (2013) Indigenous peoples’ health care: new approaches to contracting and accountability at the public administration frontier. Public Management Review 16, 1091–1112.10.1080/14719037.2013.868507CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Elder, H and Kersten, P (2015) Whakawhiti Kōrero, a method for the development of a cultural assessment tool, Te Waka Kuaka, in Māori traumatic brain injury. Behavioural Neurology 2015, 1–8.10.1155/2015/137402CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Erickson, D (2009) Learning in retirement peer instructors: in over their heads or swimming comfortably? Educational Gerontology 35, 393–408.10.1080/03601270802505590CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hayman, KJ, Kerse, N, Dyall, L, Kepa, M, Teh, R, Wham, C, Wright-St Clair, V, Wiles, J, Keeling, S, Connolly, M, Wilkinson, T, Moyes, S, Broad, J and Jatrana, S (2012) Life and living in advanced age: a cohort study in New Zealand – Te Puawaitanga o Nga Tapuwae Kia Ora Tonu, LiLACS NZ: study protocol. BMC Geriatrics 12. doi:10.1186/1471-2318-12-33.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hokowhitu, B (2003) Te tāminga o te mātauranga Māori: colonisation in education. In Ka'ai, T, Moorfield, J and Reilly, M (eds), Ki te Whaiao: An Introduction to Māori Society. Auckland: Pearson, pp. 190–200.Google Scholar
Hokowhitu, B (2010) Indigenous studies: research, identity, resistance. In Hokowhitu, B, Kermoal, N, Andersen, C, Reilly, M, Rewi, P and Petersen, A (eds), Indigenous Identity and Resistance: Researching the Diversity of Knowledge. Dunedin, New Zealand: University of Otago Press, pp. 9–22.Google Scholar
Hook, G, Waaka, T and Raumati, LP (2007) Mentoring Māori within a Pākehā framework. MAI Review 3. Available at http://www.review.mai.ac.nz/index.php/MR/article/view/70.Google Scholar
Hung, LI, Kempen, G and De Vries, N (2010) Cross-cultural comparison between academic and lay views of healthy ageing: a literature review. Ageing & Society 30, 1373–1391.10.1017/S0144686X10000589CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Isherwood, LM, Luszcz, MA and King, DS (2015) Reciprocity in material and time support within parent–child relationships during late-life widowhood. Ageing & Society 36, 1668–1689.10.1017/S0144686X15000537CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kearns, R and Dyck, I (1996) Cultural safety, biculturalism and nursing education in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Health and Social Care in the Community 4, 371–380.Google Scholar
Kendig, H, Browning, CJ, Thomas, SA and Wells, Y (2014) Health, lifestyle, and gender influences on aging well: an Australian longitudinal analysis to guide health promotion. Frontiers in Public Health 2, 1–9.10.3389/fpubh.2014.00070Google ScholarPubMed
Kennedy, V and Cram, F (2010) Ethics of researching with whānau collectives. MAI Review 3. Available at http://www.review.mai.ac.nz/MR/article/view/381/560.html.Google Scholar
Kensington-Miller, B and Tatima, M (2015) Māori in partnership: a peer mentoring model for tertiary indigenous staff in New Zealand. Race, Ethnicity and Education 18, 813–833.10.1080/13613324.2013.831824CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kēpa, M, Kēpa, CA, McPherson, B, Kameta, H, Kameta, F, Port, W, Loughlin, H, Smith, P and Reynolds, L (2014) E kore e ngāro ngā kākano I ruia mai i rangiātea: the language and culture from Rangiātea will never be lost in health and ageing research. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples 10, 276–287.10.1177/117718011401000306CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Khong, L, Farringdon, F, Hill, K and Hill, A (2015) ‘We are all one together’: peer educators’ views about falls prevention education for community-dwelling older adults – a qualitative study. BMC Geriatrics 15, 28. doi:10.1186/s12877-015-0030-3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kocken, PL and Voorham, AJ (1998) Effects of a peer-led senior health education program. Patient Education and Counseling 34, 15–23.10.1016/S0738-3991(98)00042-1CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Layne, J, Sampson, S, Mallio, C, Hibberd, P, Griffith, J, Krupa, D, Flanagan, W and Castaneda-Sceppa, C (2008) Successful dissemination of a community-based strength training programme for older adults by peer and professional leaders: the people exercising program. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 56, 2323–2329.10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.02010.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lee, J, Hoskins, T and Doherty, W (2005) Māori cultural regeneration: pūrākau as pedagogy. Paper presented at the Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning Conference, Stirling, UK, 24–26 June. Available at http://www.rangahau.co.nz/assets/lee_J/purakau%20as%20pedagogy.pdf.Google Scholar
Levack, WM, Jones, B, Grainger, R, Boland, P, Brown, M and Ingham, TR (2016) Whakawhanaungatanga: the importance of culturally meaningful connections to improve uptake of pulmonary rehabilitation by Māori with COPD – a qualitative study. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 11, 489–501.10.2147/COPD.S97665CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MacFarlane, A, Glynn, T, Cavanagh, T and Bateman, S (2007) Creating culturally-safe schools for Māori students. Australian Journal of Indigenous Education 36, 65–76.10.1017/S1326011100004439CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mane, J (2009) Kaupapa Māori: a community approach. MAI Review 3. Available at http://www.review.mai.ac.nz/MR/article/view/243/282.html.Google Scholar
McClintock, K, Mellsop, G, Moeke-Maxwell, T and Merry, S (2012) Pōwhiri process in mental health research. International Journal of Social Psychiatry 58, 96–97.10.1177/0020764010387067Google ScholarPubMed
Marsden, M (1992) God, man and universe: a Māori view. In King, M (ed.), Te Ao Hurihuri. Auckland: Reed, pp. 117–137.Google Scholar
Masters-Awatere, B (2015) ‘That's the Price We Pay’: Kaupapa Maori Programme Stakeholder Experiences of External Evaluation (PhD thesis). University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.Google Scholar
Mead, H (2003) Tikanga Māori: Living by Māori Values. Wellington: Huia.Google Scholar
Ministry of Health (2016) Health Loss in New Zealand: A Report from the New Zealand Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study, 1990–2013. Wellington: Ministry of Health. Available at https://www.health.govt.nz/#system/files/documents/publications/health-loss-in-new-zealand-1990-2013-aug16.pdf.Google Scholar
Ministry of Social Development (2010) Whānau Ora: Report of the Taskforce on Whānau-centred Initiatives. Wellington: Ministry of Social Development. Available at https://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/planning-strategy/whanau-ora/whanau-ora-taskforce-report.pdf.Google Scholar
Minkler, M, García, A, Williams, J, LoPresti, T and Lilly, J (2010) Sí Se Puede: using participatory research to promote environmental justice in a Latino Community in San Diego, California. Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine 87, 796–812.Google Scholar
Oetzel, J, Simpson, M, Berryman, K, Iti, T and Reddy, R (2015) Managing communication tensions and challenges during the end-of-life journey: perspectives of Māori kaumātua and their whānau. Health Communication 30, 350–360.10.1080/10410236.2013.861306CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Office for Senior Citizens (2014) 2014 Report on the Positive Ageing Strategy. Available at http://www.superseniors.msd.govt.nz/documents/msd-17470-2014-ageing-strategy-report-final.pdf.Google Scholar
Patton, MQ (2002) Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Google Scholar
Pérez-Escamilla, R, Hromi-Fiedler, A, Vega-López, S, Bermúdez-Millán, A and Segura-Pérez, S (2008) Impact of peer nutrition education on dietary behaviors and health outcomes among Latinos: a systematic literature review. Journal for Nutrition Education and Behavior 40, 208–225.10.1016/j.jneb.2008.03.011CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Peterson, JC (2010) CBPR in Indian country: tensions and implications for health communication. Health Communication 25, 50–60.10.1080/10410230903473524CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Philis-Tsimikas, A, Fortmann, A, Lleva-Ocana, L, Walker, C and Gallo, LC (2011) Peer-led diabetes education programmes in high-risk Mexican Americans. Diabetes Care 34, 1926–1931.10.2337/dc10-2081CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pohatu, TW (2004) Āta: growing respectful relationships. He Pukenga Kōrero 8, 1–8.Google Scholar
Ramadurai, V, Sharf, BF and Sharkey, JR (2012) Rural food insecurity in the United States as an overlooked site of struggle in health communication. Health Communication 27, 794–805.10.1080/10410236.2011.647620CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ramsden, I (2002) Cultural safety: implementing the concept – the social force of nursing and midwifery. In Whaiti, PT, McCarthy, A and Durie, M (eds), Mai I Rangiatea. Auckland: Auckland University and Bridget Williams Books, pp. 113–125.Google Scholar
Ramsden, I and Spoonley, P (1993) The cultural safety debate in nursing in Aotearoa. NZ Annual Review Education 3, 161–174.Google Scholar
Ratima, M and Grant, B (2007) Thinking about difference across and within mentoring. MAI Review, 3. Available at http://www.review.mai.ac.nz/index.php/MR/article/view/71/89.Google Scholar
Rawlings, C and Wilson, K (2003) Tuakana-Teina E-belonging Report. Wellington: Ako Aotearoa.Google Scholar
Resnicow, K, Braithwaite, RL, Dilorio, C and Glanz, K (2002) Applying theory to culturally diverse and unique populations. In Glanz, G, Rimer, B and Lewis, F (eds), Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research, and Practice. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, pp. 485–509.Google Scholar
Rowan, M, Poole, N, Shea, B, Gone, JP, Mykota, D, Farag, M, Hopkins, C, Hall, L, Mushquash, C and Dell, C (2014) Cultural interventions to treat addictions in Indigenous populations: findings from a scoping study. Substance Abuse Treatment Prevention and Policy 9, 34. doi:10.1186/1747-597X-9-34.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Seymour, J, Almack, K, Kennedy, S and Froggatt, K (2011) Peer education for advance care planning: volunteers’ perspectives on training and community engagement activities. Health Expectations 16, 43–55.10.1111/j.1369-7625.2011.00688.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Simpson, ML, Berryman, K, Oetzel, J, Iti, T and Reddy, R (2016) A cultural analysis of New Zealand palliative care brochures. Health Promotion International 31, 839–848.Google ScholarPubMed
Smith, PC (2009) Everything You Know About Indians is Wrong. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.Google Scholar
Statistics New Zealand (2013) Māori Language Speakers. Available at http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/snapshots-of-nz/nz-social-indicators/Home/Culture%20and%20identity/maori-lang-speakers.aspx#info.Google Scholar
Stevens, Z, Barlow, C and Iliffe, S (2015) Promoting physical activity among older people in primary care using peer mentors. Primary Health Care Research and Development 16, 201–206.10.1017/S1463423613000510CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Taylor, R (2003) An indigenous perspective on evaluations in the inter-cultural context: how far can one throw a Moree boomerang? Evaluation Journal of Australasia 3, 44–53.10.1177/1035719X0300300211CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tervalon, M and Murray-García, J (1998) Cultural humility versus cultural competence: a critical distinction in defining physician training outcomes in multicultural education. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 9, 117–125.10.1353/hpu.2010.0233CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wallerstein, N and Duran, B (2010) Community-based participatory research contributions to intervention research: the intersection of science and practice to improve health equity. American Journal of Public Health 100, S40–S46.10.2105/AJPH.2009.184036CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wallerstein, N, Duran, B, Oetzel, JG and Minkler, M (2018) Community-based Participatory Research for Health: Advancing Social and Health Equity, 3rd Edn. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.Google Scholar
Winitana, M (2012) Remembering the deeds of Māui: what messages are in the tuakana-teina pedagogy for tertiary educators. MAI Journal 1, 29–37.Google Scholar
Wyeth, E, Derrett, S, Hokowhitu, B, Langely, J and Hall, C (2010) Rangatiratanga and Oritetanga: responses to the Treaty of Waitangi in a New Zealand study. Ethnicity and Health 15, 303–316.10.1080/13557851003721194CrossRefGoogle Scholar