Pōuritanga: Whānau Māori experiences of end-of-life caregiving, death and tangihanga (funeral customs) during New Zealand’s COVID-19 lockdowns

Abstract

During the COVID-19 outbreak a four-level alert system placed social restrictions on New Zealanders to minimise the spread of the virus. Hospices provided community-based care reduced to telecommunications in some regions. Marae (ancestorial gathering places) were closed, and families had to stay in their ‘bubbles.’ This article presents the findings of the Rapua te Mārama study to highlight bereaved Māori families end of life caregiving, death and tangihanga (funeral) experiences during COVID-19 Lockdowns. We highlight how the disruptions impacted Māori death customs and how whānau adapted. Lockdowns impacted the relational processes that underpinned whānau caregiving. Due to the pandemic restrictions there was a lack of palliative care provision within the home. Tangihanga (funeral customs) and Māori death customs were affected; despite this whānau honoured the rangatiratanga (self-determination) of their ill and dying.