Lincoln University Digital Dissertation - Lincoln University Research ...

KMR addresses several themes which are compatible with acknowledged
development ideals including participation and empowerment. Firstly, KMR
encourages acknowledgement of issues including benefits, representation,
legitimation and accountability (Powick, 2002: 13). Therefore, it was
necessary to make clear to research participants what the interviews would be
used for, as well as providing the opportunity for interviewees to ‘check’ the
way in which information was interpreted before the research was analysed.
Secondly, Mead (1996) identifies a number of considerations that are
important for the research process, including:
Aroha ki te tangata (a respect for people)
Kanohi kitea (to present yourself face to face to people)
Titiro, whakarongo, korero (look, listen, speak)
Manaaki ki te tangata (share and host people, be generous)
Kia tupato (be cautious)
Kaua e takahia te mana o te tangata (do not trample over the mana of
people)
These understandings are particularly relevant when interviewing people, and
therefore are an integral component of the research methodology.
3.3 Research approach
The research is primarily based on a qualitative and inductive approach. A
qualitative approach has been selected because it “seeks to understand the
world through interacting with, empathising with and interpreting the actions
and perceptions of its actors” (Brockington and Sullivan, 2003). These integral
components of a qualitative approach are especially important considerations
with respect to the research group. Human emotions and perceptions are
complex constructs which undoubtedly affect the ideals of indigenous self
determination and wellbeing - two central considerations of the research.
Quantifying ‘well-being’ and components of indigenous self determination
such as ‘manaakitanga’ and ‘whanaungatanga’ would be difficult; however,
qualitative methods provide a means by which to access and analyse such
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