He Awa Whiria Braiding the knowledge streams in research, policy and practice

The concept of a braided river – he awa whiria – inspired the creation by pioneering educational researcher Professor Angus Macfarlane of a framework connecting Indigenous and Western perspectives. The He Awa Whiria framework has been used to support bicultural partnership approaches to policy development, research initiatives and practices in a broad range of sectors, such as tertiary institutions, iwi locations, private corporations and government ministries. Through the 12 chapters in this book, the authors explain their rationale for adopting He Awa Whiria, and detail how they have operationalised it in their respective fields of expertise. They report on the positive impacts that the framework has had at each stage of their work. Providing both an overview of the concept of He Awa Whiria and ‘ real world’ case studies, this new volume illustrates the importance and value of drawing on two rich streams of knowledge – matauranga Maori and Western science.

Melissa Derby (Ngati Ranginui) is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Waikato, and co-Director of the Early Years Research Centre. She has received several awards, most recently the Te Kopunui Maori Research Award from the Royal Society Te Aparangi in 2022. Sonja Macfarlane (Ngai Tahu; Ngati Waewae) is an Associate Professor in the Institute of Education at Massey University. In 2021 she was made a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Aparangi. Angus Hikairo Macfarlane (Ngati Whakaue; Ngati Rangiwewehi) is Professor (Pouhere) in the Child Well-being Research Institute at the University of Canterbury. In 2021 he was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education, psychology and Maori.

Acknowledgements Editors’ biographies Editors’ note Prologue CHAPTER 1 Finding ways to understand evidence in an interagency government setting: The emergence of He Awa Whiria from an unexpected terrain Fiona Duckworth and Professor Angus Macfarlane CHAPTER 2 A compelling visual and relational metaphor: Identity and positioning through He Awa Whiria Emeritus Professor Ted Glynn and Professor Angus Macfarlane CHAPTER 3 He Awa Whiria and early literacy: The emancipatory power of a braided rivers approach Dr. Melissa Derby and Associate Professor Sonja Macfarlane CHAPTER 4 Journey of a He Awa Whiria research programme: Families and whanau wellbeing Kahukore Baker CHAPTER 5 From braided river to He Awa Whiria Professor Jeanette King and Professor Tammy Steeves CHAPTER 6 Braiding matauranga Maori and volcanology to co-design educational resources: A He Awa Whiria approach Dr. Sriparna Saha, Kelvin Tapuke, Sylvia Tapuke, Professor Ben Kennedy, Associate Professor Sara Tolbert and Professor Angus Macfarlane CHAPTER 7 He Awa Whiria in psychology: Health, clinical practice and tertiary education Dr. Carrie Clifford and Dr. Hitaua Arahanga-Doyle CHAPTER 8 The Better Start Literacy Approach: Using He Ara Whiria to inform design Professor Gail Gillon, Jennifer Pearl Smith, Rachel Maitland, Associate Professor Sonja Macfarlane and Professor Angus Macfarlane CHAPTER 9 Enhancing cultural diversity and equity in spatial planning systems in Aotearoa New Zealand with He Awa Whiria Dr. Rita Dionisio, Dr. Dean Walker, Professor Angus Macfarlane, Associate Professor Amanda Yates and Professor Hirini Matunga CHAPTER 10 Te Whakaoreore Aromatawai Hapai ki te Hapori: He Awa Whiria approach to assessing change in communities Dr. Cristy Trewartha, Keelan Ransfield, Moerangi Falaoa-Rakaupai, Mathew Mullany, Anne McKenzie, Dr. Zach Penman and Dr. Lucy Langston CHAPTER 11 Whakawhanaungatanga and bicultural research: Reflections on applying the He Awa Whiria approach to a doctoral research project Dr. Clare Wilkinson and Professor Angus Macfarlane CHAPTER 12 He Rangahau Whiria: A research methodology for both parties to the Treaty of Waitangi Dr. Fiona Cram and Henry Lyons Epilogue Glossary About the cover artwork