KAUPAPA MĀORI

Kaupapa Māori provides the framework and drive for this company. It is the foundation to how we seek to operate and exist within the world. This means that all projects undertaken by MAIA are both defined and informed by Kaupapa Māori theories and methodologies.

Tee Wells describes Kaupapa Māori Theory as a localised Critical Theory. This denotes that Kaupapa Māori Theory is a theoretical form that has as it's outcome transformation, changes or as some refer to it in Māori Education the development of radical intervention. The fact that Kaupapa Māori initiatives such as Te Kōhanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa Māori have provided clear intervention strategies is an indication of the intention of Kaupapa Māori Theory.

Kaupapa Māori Theory is distinct. It is distinct in that it derives fundamentally from a Māori world view. It is driven and controlled by Māori. It is Māori people who define what is Kaupapa Māori theory and what are the intentions of such a theory. In this frame then, we can say that Kaupapa Māori Theory is an expression of Māori aspirations to define, explain and analyse the world through our own frameworks. It implies Māori theorising for Māori by Māori.

Kaupapa Māori derives from te reo Māori me ōna tikanga that is its origins, a Māori worldview. The relationship of Kaupapa Māori to kaupapa Māori Theory is identified by Graham Smith in his doctoral research as;

"Kaupapa Māori Theory builds on the 'Kaupapa Māori ' foundations of taking for granted the validity and legitimacy of Māori language, knowledge and culture." (Wells, T.T 1997:97)."