Lincoln University Digital Dissertation - Lincoln University Research ...

Tapa Wha, or Te Whare Tapa Wha (four cornerstones) as this perspective of
Maori well-being is described, offers a uniquely Maori perspective into the
holistic nature and background to protocol, values and ordinances. This
appreciation describes the important spheres or dimensions which are
traditionally recognised as contributing factors of Maori well-being. An
important consideration here is that modern development theory frequently
identifies separate, unrelated assets/capitals in communities which conflicts
with traditional Maori thought. Therefore, a truly holistic appreciation and
perspective such as described in Tapa Wha is needed to appropriately
conceptualise aspirations for Maori well-being.
2.4 Development
Development is a term broadly used to represent a wide range of activities,
processes, and end goals. There are a number of definitions of ‘development’
in relation to the progress of groups of people. While in more recent years,
Western literature has been used to denote a process that enlarges people’s
choices, improves well-being and enables people to reach their fullest
potential (Chambers, 1997; Staudt, 1991: 28).
Conventionally, (Western) development has been dominated by an ‘economic’
perspective of development (Shepherd, 1998: 1). For example, Modernisation
Theory that dominated development thinking from 1950-70, is the premise
that each country experiences successive stages of economic growth, while
moving from a traditional subsistence based economy to one based on
monetary exchange and mass consumption – aided by international trade
(Young, 1993: 2). Modernisation Theory also assumed that well-being was
linked directly to economic growth, the benefits of which would ‘trickle-down’
to the poor. More recently, neo-liberal approaches have echoed the
Modernisation Theory in terms of this focus on economic development. This
strong economic focus to traditional development models has come at the
expense of local social, environmental and cultural assets, and at the
exclusion of local community values and decision making processes (Akroyd,
2003: 18; Escobar, 1995: 211).
14