Māori Community Development
What is it and why aren’t there more Māori community development organisations out there?
A quick google search brings up a few scholarly articles and information about well intentioned Pākehā organisations who are working towards community based development for Māori. The definition of Community-Led development (CLD), provided by Inspiring Communities says:
“Community-Led development in Aotearoa is an approach to improving hauora (wellbeing) of the local community by embedding Te Tiriti, working with diverse local leadership, and implementing solutions that build on the strengths of that place.”
From an Indigenous perspective, CLD embodies a commitment to honoring tūpuna wisdom and fostering collective well-being. Rooted in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Indigenous CLD recognises the value of Māori leadership and the vital role of tikanga in guiding development. It emphasises a holistic approach to hauora, which includes physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being.
This article provides an example of Māori-led community development in an urban setting in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland.
Whakapapa
Te Ohu o Onekiritia, is a whānau Māori community movement based in North-West Auckland, created by two wāhine, Te Rauhiringa Krystal-Lee Brown and Jewelz Petley. Te Ohu was inspired by our desire to connect with the Māori community in Hobsonville|Onekiritea and our ambition to decolonise the area that we call home.
Why?
Hobsonville Point is an intentionally developed medium density housing development designed to be an autonomous community also known as a 15-minute city. To oversee the development and community building within the area, a Residents Society was created. Homeowners in the area are required to pay $150 a year to the Residents Society which contributes towards maintenance of public spaces and community events. This has meant that there has been some great opportunities for neighbourhood-level connection which has resulted in community connectedness and a sense of belonging in place. However, these opportunities are not equitable, are very eurocentric and don’t acknowledge Māori or the diversity of Hobsonville.
How?
Te Ohu started with koha-based te reo lessons once a week in Hobsonville Point in 2022. From these lessons, grew a community of whānau Māori living in Hobsonville who were looking for a place of connection. As first, second or even third-generation urban Māori having left our previous areas known to us as “home”, we were looking for a place of belonging and acceptance.
As time progressed and relationships grew, our rōpū became more intentional with their connection to each other and the place of Hobsonville. From this, came the first Matariki event hosted by Te Ohu o Onekiritea which celebrated the local school kapa haka groups, Māori performers and Māori business owners. This was a hugely successful event that was a catalyst for the work of Te Ohu and how we chose to move forward together as home owners and residents living in Onekiritea.
Through wider community engagement, Te Ohu provides opportunities for education and connection to te ao Māori. By being a presence in ourcommunity, Te Ohu is changing the thinking and perceptions of Māori in a medium/high income community.
Te Ohu o Onekiritea isn’t a registered entity, we are a group of whānau Māori who have aspirations to see ourselves represented in the place we call home. We accept funds and donations through an umbrella organisation who provide us with autonomy to oversee the funds. We meet regularly, both formally and informally - generally with kids in tow and lots of kai. Everything we do is voluntary based and each person contributes to the kaupapa through their strengths. It’s important to note, we know and understand we are all in privileged positions to be able to contribute and grow a kaupapa we are passionate about that sits beyond our employment obligations. To have capacity to activate social change movements takes time, that we know we are fortunate to have. We operate on a high trust model, where all voices and views are considered.
What we’ve learned?
It’s ok to say no. During our time we have been approached by several organisations offering us money to do different projects in the community. At times we have said no to this funding because our values have not aligned. This has meant we’ve been intentional with the partnerships we undertake and the people we work with. The journey towards meaningful community outcomes often involves real and challenging aspects such as having to respond to needs as they arrive, not having the funds to plan ahead and working with funders who see the fundee/funder relationship as a transaction. This friction is a natural part of the CLD process and requires adaptability and perseverance!
Back to Māori CLD.....
Māori CLD represents a unique approach that can foster well-being and cultural enrichment within communities. By weaving together traditional knowledge with contemporary practices, Māori CLD – as illustrated by Te Ohu - ensures that solutions are not only culturally relevant but also sustainably nurture the strengths and aspirations of local communities. This approach acknowledges that true community development arises from within, guided by the values, stories, and dreams of the people who call a place home.
An article by Jewelz Petley and Vinetta Plummer written for Community Think.