Whänau engagement in kaupapa mäori early years provision—an exploratory qualitative study

Abstract

Kaupapa Mäori early years provision (KM-EYP) is often understood as a critical site for Mäori cultural revitalisation, where a foundation for the educational success and lifelong wellbeing of tamariki Mäori is laid. Given its importance, the Tangi te Kawekaweä study sought to identify and examine barriers and facilitators of whänau engagement in KM-EYP. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individual whänau members (n = 19) and whänau groups (n = 5) enrolled in one centre for KM-EYP, and with expert informants (n = 10). This paper reports on the insights gained. Inductive thematic analysis identified barriers to engagement (e.g., historical trauma, whakamä, whänau disconnection) and facili-tators of engagement (e.g., critical awareness, emotional and practical support, whänauranga). These findings have the potential to inform policy and practice to enhance whänau Mäori engagement in the learning and development opportunities offered by KM-EYP and the early years sector more broadly.