PhD thesis, University of Auckland

This research used a Kaupapa Māori framework, mana wahine theory and qualitative methodologies to explore how young Māori mothers cope with motherhood within the rural community of Murupara, Aotearoa New Zealand. The aim was to explore the lived experiences of young Māori mothers in this context. The data consisted of interviews with eleven young Māori mothers (aged 16 to 24 years) and five community members who worked alongside the mothers. Further reflection interviews were held with ten of the young mothers and four of the community members. The interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically in two separate studies. The first study identified themes that addressed the general experiences of the young mothers. The analysis highlighted strengths in their lives including the sense of purpose they found through their roles mothering; and the support they gained from whānau and friends. The analysis also identified the challenges of inadequate accommodation; financial woes including difficulties in accessing government support; barriers in access to healthcare; and the mothers’ difficulties in asking for help when they needed it. Despite these challenges, the analysis also captured the mothers’ ambitions for a better life and their hopes for their children’s future; but suggested that they were more hesitant in their hopes for themselves. Finally, the analysis contextualised the mothers’ experiences within their personal and community relationships. The second study focussed on the mothers’ experiences of intimate partner violence This analysis highlighted the young women’s concern to protect their children; the denial and normalisation of IPV in the community; the general silencing of the mothers’ voices; the constraints of gender role expectations; their partners’ dominance in the young mothers’ lives; and the bravery of the women in reaching out for help. This analysis also identified the various forms that violence took in the women’s lives; their difficulties in recognising IPV; and the challenges they faced in leaving a partner. This research demonstrates the importance of challenging a simplistic deficit narrative by placing young Māori mothers’ experiences within a Te Ao Māori framework. A strengths-based perspective, together with addressing systemic barriers will help young Māori mothers to feel valued and thrive. The research identified a number of practical implications for service providers and policy makers including the importance of supporting the young mothers’ goals and aspirations for the future; addressing housing problems in the area; reforming the benefit system to make it more accessible and less shaming; facilitating better access to healthcare for the mothers and their children; providing support to young fathers; developing a whole community approach to IPV and providing specific and adequate resources to deal with it. (Author's abstract). Record #8078