Timeframe
2018-2019
Funding
Ministry of Social Development
COMPASS staff
Nichola Shackleton
Barry Milne
Stephanie D’Souza
Lara Greaves
Collaborators
University of Auckland
Andrew Sporle
Ministry of Social Development
Kahukore Baker
Description
The purpose of this contract is to prepare a scoping paper on the development of an alternative tikanga Māori strengths-based ‘Index’ to complement New Zealand’s Deprivation Index (NZDep). This is identified as a key advance in the Family and Whānau wellbeing research programme for 2018‑2019.
For many decades, Māori individuals, whānau, and communities have been analysed, mapped, and measured through a deficit lens. NZDep is deeply embedded throughout government modelling, research, policies, programmes, and evaluations, and we draw on NZDep in our modelling for interventions as well.
This project is a significant piece of work that seeks to turn around the entrenched criteria and values that underpin our data and modelling in social research, policy, and programmes, by developing a strengths-based index to complement NZDep. It will explore a Māori perspective on community strengths, geomapping at the meshblock level, for the wellbeing of communities.
The purpose of this new tikanga Māori instrument is to enable Māori communities and those engaged in research, social policy, and programmes, to better understand their cultural, social, economic, and environmental resources available to them in their communities. It is believed that this will give a more in-depth understanding of the strengths, needs, and aspirations within Māori communities.