Cultural taxation: Cultural Myth or Workplace Reality? Toni Torepe University of Queensland PhD Confirmation

Who am I? Christchurch, New Zealand Ngāi Tahu tribal descent Worked in mainstream tertiary institutions for 17 years Lecturer – University of Canterbury

Research Project To gain a deeper understanding and document the lived experiences of Māori academics working in mainstream tertiary institutions in New Zealand.

Cultural taxation definition Padilla 1994 “the obligation to show good citizenship toward the institution by serving its need for ethnic representation on committees, or to demonstrate knowledge and commitment to a cultural group, which may bring accolades to the institution but which is not usually rewarded by the institution on whose behalf the service was performed”

Examples of Cultural taxation provide expertise in matters of diversity within an organisation, educate individuals of the majority group on such matters, serve on committees or act as a liaison between the organisation and the ethnic community, even though their own personal views may not align nor do they agree with the institutions stance or policies, provide translation services, act as a mediator for any socio-cultural differences within an institution

Why this topic of study? Personal experiences MEd thesis Fulfil cultural ceremonial roles Serve on committees as dedicated “Māori” member Translate material Upskill non-indigenous colleagues MEd thesis Ethical and professional responsibilities Dearth of national literature

Research Questions What is the work place reality for Māori academics in mainstream tertiary institutions in New Zealand How do Māori academics describe their lives in mainstream tertiary institutions? How do diversity/cultural work role expectations impact on Māori academics? How do tertiary institutions acknowledge or reward Māori staff for this work?

Ways of Knowing, Being & Doing Indigenous epistemologies Kaupapa Māori Storytelling/Narrative

Indigenous epistemologies Elements of commonality holistic in nature - reciprocity spirit of collectivity - respect determines how data is gathered - oral Ultimately unique to different peoples and to individuals

Kaupapa Māori - Smith (1999) Aroha ki te tangata (a respect for people) Kanohi kitea (the seen face, that is present yourself to people face to face) Titiro, whakarongo … kōrero (look, listen … speak) Manaaki ki te tangata (share and host people, be generous) Kia tupato (be cautious) Kaua e takahia te mana o te tangata (do not trample over the mana of people) Kaua e mahaki (dont flaunt your knowledge)

Storytelling/Narrative Transmission of knowledge – Indigenous communities, Oral histories, narratives and traditional cultural practices are steeped in tradition Māori have a history of relaying pūrākau (a traditional form of narrative) rich in philosophical thought Important that the voices of the participants are heard Methods that align with an Indigenous epistemology – relationship built through the storytelling process.

Alternate ways of doing research Use of te reo Māori Reflect kaupapa Māori research framework Important terms e.g. Participant - taonga / interview – hui / data collection – kohi kōrero Reinforces my worldview and the uniqueness of my research Glossary provided Under erasure - Derrida Highlights my Indigenous Methodological stance

Significance of the study Document the experiences of Māori academics working in mainstream tertiary institutions. Allow the voices of the taonga to be heard. Responsibility to contemporary Māori academics. Contribute to a small pool of national literature.

Kia ora koutou Thank you