Kaupapa Māori Evaluation - Community-Up Values

Kaupapa Māori research and evaluation are deeply embedded in the ethical values and cultural principles that reflect the Māori worldview. These values emphasize the importance of relationships, respect, and reciprocity, and they guide evaluators and researchers to engage with communities in ways that are culturally appropriate and empowering. Below are key community-up ethical values that underpin Kaupapa Māori research and evaluation.

Aroha ki te Tangata (Love for the People)

​Aroha ki te tangata involves showing respect and love for people, allowing them to define their own space and meet on their own terms. This value is foundational to establishing respectful and trusting relationships between evaluators/researchers and participants. It acknowledges the importance of compassion, empathy, and care, and ensures that research practices are aligned with the well-being and aspirations of the community

     In practice, this means that evaluators and researchers must be flexible and responsive during interactions, taking cues from the community about the appropriate cultural protocols to observe. For example, the E Hine project, which focused on young Māori women, involved guidance from a Kāhui Kaumātua (Elders Group) to ensure cultural appropriateness and responsiveness to participants' lived realities.

He Kanohi Kitea (Being a Seen Face)

He kanohi kitea emphasizes the importance of evaluators and researchers being a known and visible presence within the community. This value is about building long-term relationships and trust by engaging with the community regularly and being present at local events. It ensures that evaluators and researchers are not just voices heard from a distance but faces that are seen and recognized in the community.
     This practice helps to establish credibility and fosters deeper connections, which are essential for conducting meaningful and authentic research. It also respects the community's need for ongoing engagement and accountability beyond the immediate research project.

Whakawhanaungatanga (Making Connections)

Whakawhanaungatanga involves the process of making and strengthening connections, particularly through whakapapa (genealogy) and other forms of relational ties. This value highlights the importance of relationships and interconnectedness in Māori society. Researchers and evaluators are encouraged to build relationships that go beyond professional interactions, recognising the significance of kinship and community ties.
     In Kaupapa Māori research and evaluation, whakawhanaungatanga ensures that the research process is embedded within the community's social fabric, promoting mutual support and understanding. It is through these connections that evaluators and researchers can gain deeper insights and foster genuine collaboration with participants.

Titiro, Whakarongo… Kōrero (Look, Listen… Speak)

This value advises evaluators and researchers to first look and listen before speaking. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the context and perspectives of the community before making contributions. This approach encourages evaluators and researchers to be observant and attentive, ensuring that their actions and words are informed by a deep understanding of the community's needs and aspirations.
     By prioritising listening and observation, evaluators and researchers can avoid making assumptions and ensure that their interventions are relevant and respectful. This practice fosters a more inclusive and participatory research process, where the voices of community members are heard and valued.

Manaaki ki te Tangata (Sharing and Hosting)

Manaaki ki te tangata involves the principles of hospitality, generosity, and caring for others. In the context of research, this value emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge, resources, and support with the community. Researchers and evaluators are encouraged to approach their work with a spirit of generosity, ensuring that the research process benefits all involved.
     This practice not only fosters a sense of community and mutual support but also enhances the overall effectiveness of the research. By being generous and supportive, evaluators and researchers can build stronger relationships and promote a more positive and collaborative research environment.

Kia Tūpato (Being Cautious)

Kia tūpato encourages evaluators and researchers to be cautious, politically astute, culturally safe, and reflexive about their insider/outsider status. This value underscores the importance of being aware of the broader socio-political context and navigating it carefully to ensure that the research is conducted respectfully and sensitively.
     This practice requires evaluators and researchers to be mindful of the potential impacts of their work on the community and to act in ways that protect and uphold the community's dignity and well-being. It also involves being reflective and self-critical, ensuring that research practices do not inadvertently harm or disempower participants.

Kaua e Takahia te Mana o te Tangata (Do Not Trample on the Dignity of People)

This principle emphasizes the importance of preserving and respecting the dignity of participants. Researchers and evaluators must be mindful of their actions and the ways in which their research might affect individuals and communities. It is crucial to conduct research in a manner that upholds the mana (dignity) of all involved.
     By adhering to this principle, evaluators and researchers ensure that their work does not exploit or marginalize participants but instead respects their inherent worth and contributions. This practice fosters trust and mutual respect, which are essential for successful and ethical research.

Kia Māhaki (Being Humble)

Kia māhaki encourages evaluators and researchers to approach their work with humility, recognizing that they do not have all the answers and must be open to learning from the community. This value promotes a collaborative and respectful research process, where knowledge is co-created and shared.
     Humility in research means acknowledging the expertise and insights of community members and valuing their contributions. It also involves being open to feedback and willing to adapt one's approach based on the needs and perspectives of the community.

Conclusion

The community-up ethical values of Kaupapa Māori research and evaluation provide a robust framework for conducting research that is culturally responsive and respectful. These values emphasize the importance of relationships, respect, reciprocity, and humility, guiding evaluators and researchers to engage with Māori communities in ways that are empowering and aligned with their cultural values.

2004 hīkoi (protest march) to Parliament

By adhering to these principles, evaluators and researchers can ensure that their work not only contributes to the advancement of knowledge but also supports the well-being and aspirations of Māori communities. This approach fosters trust, mutual respect, and collaboration, creating a more inclusive and effective research process that honours the unique perspectives and experiences of Māori.

Further Reading

Cram, F. (2009). Maintaining Indigenous voices. In D. Mertens & P. Ginsberg (Eds.), SAGE Handbook of social science research ethics (pp. 308-322).  Sage Publications.
Smith, L. T. (2021). Decolonizing methodologies: Research and Indigenous peoples. 3rd Edition. Bloomsbury.
Pipi, K., Cram, F., Hawke, R., Hawke, S., Huriwai, T., Mataki, T., ... & Tuuta, C. (2004). A research ethic for studying Māori and iwi provider success. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand, 23, 141-153.

The original report described here was: Cram, F. & Pitama, S. (1998). He Oranga Poutama - Second Year Evaluation Report. Prepared for Te Puni Kōkiri.

Other blog posts in this series: 
1. Kaupapa Māori Evaluation – Evaluation by, for and with Māori
3. Kaupapa Māori Evaluation - Case Example

Author - Fiona Cram, PhD

Ngāti Pāhauwera, Aotearoa New Zealand
Co-Chair, EvalIndigenous

Acknowledgement I would like to acknowledge the assistance of AI technology in the preparation of this blog. The use of OpenAI’s language model, ChatGPT, was instrumental in summarising the evaluation report described here.