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New Zealand Journal of Psychology Vol. 46, No. 3, November 2017• 46 •
Andre D. McLachlan, Rebecca Wirihana and Terry Huriwai
Whai tikanga: e application of a culturally
relevant value centred approach
Andre D. McLachlan, Rebecca Wirihana and Terry Huriwai
Waikato Institute of Technology, Te Utuhina Manaaki Trust and Te Rau Matatini
This article presents and discusses the development of a kaupapa Māori (Māori centred) values based intervention,
Whai Tikanga. The article briey describes western perspectives of values based practice utilised within psychology,
and discusses Māori perspectives of values as kaipuripuri (holders of traditional knowledge) with a deep connection to
whakapapa kōrero (traditional Māori narratives). The application of the Whai Tikanga Values Card Sort (WT-VCS) will
also be introduced. The authors propose that the WT-VCS exemplies the importance of values centred approaches
to engagement within the therapeutic context with Māori, building shared cultural understanding, and engaging in
the transmission of Māori knowledge in the therapeutic context as a source and method of traditional healing
Key words: Mātauranga Māori, Kaipuripuri, Te Whare Tapa Wha, Ngā Take Pū, Values, Valued-living
Culturally congruent interventions have been noted
to contribute to enhanced engagement, and assist in the
development of competencies linking indigenous theory
this basis. Currently psychological literature has a tendency
reside therein.
by a standard belief that there are a set of values that are
the risk of treatment disengagement, treatment failure, or
and processes, primarily focusing on the amelioration
making traditional mainstream psychological approaches
psychological approach to therapy, and by integrating
values based methods, practitioners can use traditional
A Māori centred psychological approach to therapy
systemic and individual racism that has occurred as a result,
• 47 •New Zealand Journal of Psychology Vol. 46, No. 3 November 2017
Whai Tikanga: Māori centred values in practice
in environments that are non-judgemental and are founded
establishing balanced relationships, and achievement of
Whakapapa korero as the foundaon for kaupapa
Māori based therapeuc acvies
the bright star ahead in the distance, points on the compass,
Firstly, they are important and desirable and, secondly, values
also been referred to as value-directed living, 'engaging in an
New Zealand Journal of Psychology Vol. 46, No. 3, November 2017• 48 •
Andre D. McLachlan, Rebecca Wirihana, and Terry Huriwai
you feel you should, must, or have to do.
Valuing tends to bring a sense of vitality, purpose,
and meaning to life.
argued to both share common features, including enhancing
or other drug use.
of values cards and asks them to read them and separate
the meaning of the card, or the value may bring up important
behaviour and their ability to successfully live by these values.
Kaipuripuri: the transmission of Māori values
could be seen as nourishing ones desires, or take pū
can be noted as the source of issues of importance and
values and concepts also includes, and are related to, other
• 49 •New Zealand Journal of Psychology Vol. 46, No. 3 November 2017
Whai Tikanga: Māori centred values in practice
modes of behaviour, life lessons and appropriate courses of
about them.
using these mediums to support the process of healing from
dominant culture concepts of values and value-related
The Whai Tikanga Values Card Sort (WT-VCS)
adaptations of psychological treatment approaches and
1.
2.
4.
Ngā Take Pū: Māori relevant values
Whanganui regions.
New Zealand Journal of Psychology Vol. 46, No. 3, November 2017• 50 •
Andre D. McLachlan, Rebecca Wirihana and Terry Huriwai
Kaipuripuri: whakataukī and the transmission of
whakapapa korero
whakataukī stress the importance of a
Incorporang metaphor and whakapapa korero
journey, and to consider those values that are less important
their chest pocket, as seen in image 2.
Image 1. Front and reverse of Whai Tikanga Values Card
Image 2. Example of Values Cards sorted according to importance
• 51 •New Zealand Journal of Psychology Vol. 46, No. 3 November 2017
Whai Tikanga: Māori centred values in practice
add richness to the understanding of the value and, due to
Applying Māori models of wellbeing to pracce
by the placement of a symbol on the corner of each card.
and the balance across the four taha.
comparison to the other domains, and
establishing goals to live by their values, strengthen their
Image 3. Whai Tikanga Values Card formed as a Whare (house)
New Zealand Journal of Psychology Vol. 46, No. 3, November 2017• 52 •
Andre D. McLachlan, Rebecca Wirihana and Terry Huriwai
Discussion
concepts of values and value-related behaviour in current
the search for meaningful engagement in the process of
provided the basis for the development of this resource and
there has been progress in this regard, more research is
of the authors to contribute to this process and to encourage
improved engagement in value-related behaviour.
Acknowledgements
and discussed.
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Whai Tikanga: Māori centred values in practice
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Corresponding Author
Andre D. McLachlan
Centre for Health and Social Practice,
Waikato Institute of Technology
Private Bag 3036,
Waikato Mail Centre,
New Zealand Journal of Psychology Vol. 46, No. 3, November 2017• 54 •
Andre D. McLachlan, Rebecca Wirihana and Terry Huriwai
Hamilton 3240
Email: andre.mcLachlan@wintec.ac.nz
