It’s a Matter of Trust: Ngāi Tahu Democratic Processes and Māori Pākehā Research Partnership

The Ngāi Tahu indigenous Māori community of Aotearoa/New Zealand successfully maintained 150 years legal grievance against the British Crown following signing Treaty Waitangi and colonization. importance women leaders, guiding role elders, long-term commitment to intergenerational health for all tribal members, democratic processes in current context iwi within Aotearoa engagement with system was crucial building towards a post-conflict society. Alongside this there were are creative empowerment that nourished cultural vitality. This paper shares ‘conversational exchange’ about occurred after settlement reached, as tribe stepped into challenge navigating complicated additional corporate, bureaucratic, governance, structures. eldest woman from Ōtākou Marae, Te Waipounamu (South Island), describes her experience listening old people, going hui (meetings) creating support services community. Her words, presented full, modelling innovative methodology prioritises transparent Southern Pākehā conversation post-settlement environment. relationship trust between authors, representing two cultures history colonization, grew over several decades shared discussion, supervision listening. Our kōrero (conversation) begins one question: What effects democracy on sustainable culture community?