Completed Projects

Acculturation of the Disconnected: Living in the City Ain’t So Bad

While most people will accept the fact that Maori live in ‘diverse realities’ there is little known about what this means to rangatahi (Maori young people). There is difference in the way some groups approach their identity and the markers they use to ascertain ‘secure cultural identity’. For example, there may be ways that youth are identifying and approaching their identity and “cultural connections” that do not fit the more conventional understandings, but nevertheless are important to how they interpret the world and shape the contribution they may make in the future. This study explored cultural identity among a population of rangatahi from South Auckland using qualitative methods.

Belinda Borell has completed her Masters thesis which can be downloaded from her Whariki page

Living in the City Ain't So Bad: Cultural Diversity of South Auckland Rangatahi, A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of a Masters of Philosophy in Psychology. Massey University, Auckland, 2005.

Researchers: Belinda Borell, Helen Moewaka Barnes, Professor Sally Casswell. Mentor: Irihapeti Ramsden

Timeframe: July 2002 - June 2004