The research used a kaupapa Māori methodology informed by mātauranga Māori and underpinned by the cultural values of Te Whāriki: whānaungatanga (honouring connectedness), mana motuhake (valuing integrity), pūtaketanga (sharing knowledge and wisdom), and hohou ō rongo (healing and advocating justice for all). A Kaupapa Māori methodology enabled a qualitative design informed by a te ao Māori (Māori worldview) lens, decolonisation and intersectionality that incorporates 'thought space wānanga' and a co-design approach to guide the interpretation of the findings. Creative methods (design prompts, tools and prototyping) were used to help show what a co-design journey looked like throughout this collaboration. This required the research team members to be flowing and free, open to new ways of thinking and doing. The project was initiated as a small ‘grass roots’ activity, which meant funding was found along the way. This supported reflexive processes, rather than pre-planned in advance.

Hauraki whānau asked for resources to support their hīkoi (journey) through a cyclical journey of healing and recovering from the pain of mahi tūkino. The theory behind the kaupapa (purpose) of Kāinga Kōrero is that guided conversations with Hauraki whānau Māori in environments and with people with whom they feel safe to contribute to their healing and breaking the silence that protects perpetrators of mahi tūkino.  

Through various hui and wānanga over a year, the research team developed a series of five intertwined and connected kete that contain prompts to guide whānau through their healing journey using matauranga Māori housed within Te Ara Poutama - a card-based interactive toolkit that supports wāhine and their whanau through a process of challenging but guided kōrero, personal reflection and active processing.  

The research showed that reflexivity with tools and approaches was important to create a solution most appropriate to those using them.  This meant setting out to use flexible and open process (e.g., facilitation, te reo māori, partnership, value of listening and sitting with discomfort). Initially, it was tricky to see how the design team could contribute most meaningfully - what was most appropriate, how they were perceived, and how could or should they communicate their value? Consequently, they turned up and listened. This was often uncomfortable, and it was subsequently realised that this was the best thing to do. It was important to ‘be present’. There was no need for solutions or ideas, but be open to possibilities and start a process together to discover what works.

The research findings were shared with kaimahi and with Hauraki whānau Māori via wānanga and hui, Symposia, awards, physical artefacts and social media.

Te Ara Poutama was a community-led and co-designed toolkit grounded in mātauranga Māori. The vision of Te Whāriki was that all whānau in Hauraki are safe by transforming and healing whānau living within the rohe (area) by implementing Kāinga Kōrero and the tools within Kete Whenua (including Te Ara Poutama). An overall goal of the Kete Whenua and Kāinga Kōrero is that Hauraki whānau and communities will become resilient, connected, and safe. The first print run of the Te Ara Poutama toolkit to support this goal was produced in early 2022 and gifted to Hauraki whanau. Through the research, the collaboration was strengthened, supporting junior team members and kaimahi about community-led research. Leadership capacity and capability development was supported through this process. The research resulted in ongoing collaboration with Te Whāriki, and opened up related projects incorporating design processes. The research helped the wider group to think differently about what design can contribute to topics or problems where engagement with design processes is less common. A subsequent funding application to support evaluation and further development was successful.