RANGATAHI MĀORI AND THE WHĀNAU CHOCOLATE BOX: Rangatahi wellbeing in whānau contexts

Abstract

Whānau (Māori understandings of family) are comprised of unique and vital relationships that support and scaffold rangatahi (youth) wellbeing, yet are often reduced to nuclear family structures within individualised notions of wellbeing. While rangatahi contend with racialised discourses in a colonial socio-cultural context, their whānau can be an important site for mitigating these challenges, supporting rangatahi agency and wellbeing. This article explores how whānau practices inform rangatahi wellbeing, drawing upon photo-projects and interviews with 51 rangatahi and their whānau. Interviews were thematically analysed, informing four themes that drew on Māori (the Indigenous people of Aotearoa) concepts and whakataukī: te haerenga whakamua, kotahitanga, he toa takitini and tātai hono. These themes speak to the significance of vitalising relationships between rangatahi, their whānau and beyond. We outline a strengths-based activity with rangatahi and their whānau, identifying and drawing from the delightful array of whānau relationships, qualities and characteristics that may be likened to a ‘whānau chocolate box’ for rangatahi to derive influence, systems of support and inspiration for future identities and inspiration.