Whārangi kimihia

This peer-reviewed article (part of Te Ao Mārama outputs) zeroes in on quantitative disability metrics for Māori. Using the internationally vetted Washington Group Short Set (WG-SS) of questions on functioning, the authors surveyed 7,230 Māori adults to estimate disability prevalence and patterns. The results revealed a substantial disability burden: 15.1% of Māori reported at least “a lot of difficulty” in one or more domains, and 70.2% reported “any difficulty” (even if minor). Nearly half of respondents had multiple functional limitations, with cognitive difficulties being most common (affecting ~47.6%). Notably, disability rates showed little difference by gender, age or urban/rural residence. Ingham, Jones and colleagues conclude that while the WG-SS is effective for basic quantification, it fails to capture crucial socio-cultural dimensions of disability for Māori. They argue that “culturally responsive disability frameworks are urgently required” to complement such tools. This article provides rigorous statistical evidence of the high prevalence of activity limitations among Māori, reinforcing the Te Ao Mārama study’s advocacy for Māori-centric measures and highlighting the limitations of one-size-fits-all disability metrics.

This open-access paper presents key findings from the Te Ao Mārama national survey, offering a holistic snapshot of Māori wellbeing and disability from a Māori worldview. Among 7,359 adult participants of Māori descent, the study found strong cultural identity (e.g. ~32% had at least fair proficiency in te reo, and 97% embraced a broad, non-nuclear concept of whānau). While over half of Māori reported high life satisfaction, the survey also exposed significant challenges: 58.4% had experienced discrimination (commonly due to ethnicity or appearance) and 32.6% had unmet healthcare needs due to cost. Socioeconomic hardships were evident – nearly one-quarter had to borrow for living costs, and over one-third skipped fresh food to save money. The authors analyze these results using Te Pae Māhutonga (a Māori health promotion model), underscoring gaps in mainstream data and the importance of culturally tailored approaches. Co-authored by Ingham & Jones, this publication demonstrates the real-world inequities faced by tāngata whaikaha Māori and validates the culturally specific methodology of Te Ao Mārama as crucial for informing policy.

In this inaugural research seminar, Ingham, Jones, and Perry shed light on the “invisibility” of Māori with disabilities and the intersectional nature of their identities[3]. They discussed early qualitative insights indicating that conventional disability frameworks overlook Māori cultural identity, resulting in tāngata whaikaha Māori often straddling “two or multiple identities.” The talk underscored the importance of Māori-defined concepts of wellbeing and identity, supported by data from the Te Ao Mārama study.

This peer-reviewed article details the innovative methodology of the Te Ao Mārama national survey of Māori adults. Ingham, Jones and team describe using a kaupapa Māori research design for a “large-scale, nationally representative survey” of 7,000+ Māori, implemented via a multimodal online platform[15][16]. The paper explains how the survey was co-designed by, with, and for tāngata whaikaha Māori, including extensive community partnership, cultural protocol (tikanga) integration, and te reo Māori translations[17][18]. A novel probabilistic sampling approach was used (drawing from the Māori electoral roll) with dual weighting to ensure representativeness[19][20]. The authors outline steps taken to uphold Māori data sovereignty and participant engagement – from culturally resonant survey branding and imagery to offering phone and paper alternatives for accessibility[21][22]. 

Relevance: This methods paper (co-authored by Jones & Ingham) demonstrates how conventional survey techniques were adapted through a Māori lens, paving the way for robust, culturally-grounded data on Māori health and disability[23][24].

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A qualitative research article (from the Te Ao Mārama study) exploring how Māori with disabilities conceptualize their identities. The authors discuss the notion of “karanga rua, karanga maha” – literally “two voices, many voices” – as a framework for the plurality of identity experienced by tāngata whaikaha Māori[10][11]. Findings showed that Western disability constructs often clash with te ao Māori perspectives, and many participants navigate dual identities (indigenous and disabled) within their whānau and communities[12][11]. Jones, Ingham and colleagues emphasize that affirming Māori cultural identity and self-determination is critical to wellbeing, and they call for disability research and policy that honor “multiple identities” of Māori disabled people. This work deepened the theoretical underpinnings of Te Ao Mārama by centering Māori identity and worldview.

A peer-reviewed qualitative study reporting findings from 28 in-depth interviews with tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau. The paper documents four key areas of inequity: (1) unequal access to health determinants; (2) inequitable access to and through health/disability services; (3) poorer quality of care received; and (4) the need for Māori-driven solutions[7]. It confirms that Māori with disabilities experience intersecting discrimination (racism and disablism) and calls for including tāngata whaikaha Māori in decision-making with equal partnership rights[8]. This study, co-authored by Ingham & Jones, provided an evidence base for the Te Ao Mārama project by highlighting gaps in the status quo and emphasizing a kaupapa Māori, rights-based framework for change.

A commentary analyzing the pandemic’s impact on Indigenous people with disabilities (with a focus on Māori). The authors invoke intersectionality as a lens to examine how Māori with disabilities faced compounded risks under New Zealand’s one-size-fits-all COVID response. They issue a “call to action” with four pillars: (1) guarantee self-determination for tāngata whaikaha; (2) address structural racism and ableism; (3) rectify historical injustices; (4) allocate resources equitably during and beyond the pandemic. This work, co-authored by Ingham and Jones, highlights pandemic resilience and the need for culturally aligned approaches, reinforcing the ethos of Te Ao Mārama in ensuring indigenous voices guide health equity efforts.

In 2023, Ingham and Jones jointly contributed research evidence on inequities impacting tāngata whaikaha Māori (Māori with disabilities) as part of the Wai 2575 inquiry. Their submissions – including a “Disability Statistical Report” – highlighted systemic disparities (stemming from racism, colonization and ableism) and called for Treaty-compliant reforms to improve Māori disability health outcomes. This formal evidence base was driven by findings of Te Ao Mārama study and reinforced the need for Māori-led data and solutions in the disability sector.