Mokemoke: Unravelling the intricacies of social isolation among kaumātua
October 17 2023
We’re thrilled to bring attention to a significant chapter published in May 2023, led by Tess Moeke-Maxwell along with Stella Black, Tessa Morgan, Janine Wiles, and Merryn Gott delving into the topic of social isolation and loneliness among older Māori living in Aotearoa. This publication offers a comprehensive exploration into the factors affecting the emotional and social wellbeing of the older Māori community (kaumātua).
Framed within a Kaupapa Māori and social constructivist research approach, this study illuminates the experiences of older indigenous New Zealanders. It presents qualitative findings from the Māori cohort in the initial phase of a two-phased mixed-methods study. The research was an integral part of a larger project involving Pacific, Asian, and New Zealand European cohorts. Spearheaded by members of our Te Arai Palliative Care and End of Life Research Group, the study was in collaboration with Age Concern NZ and received funding from the Ageing Well National Science Challenge Fund.
The findings reveal how colonialism and globalisation have isolated some kaumātua physically and emotionally. Constraints like limited public transport and financial resources in local communities restrict kaumātua from maintaining ties with their ancestral landscapes and tribes, especially in rural areas. Modern challenges such as geographical distance and the demanding lifestyles of younger family members reduce the frequency of face-to-face interactions, amplifying feelings of isolation.
This prevalent isolation hinders kaumātua from immersing themselves in traditional tribal and whānau activities, interfering with their cultural obligations and obstructing opportunities to reminisce about their past with their whānau. As emphasised in the chapter, these cultural narratives and shared experiences are vital for the wellbeing of the individual and the collective community. Given the cultural richness kaumātua hold, the chapter concludes with a pressing call for indigenous solutions to mitigate their social isolation and “mokemoke”.
Here is the link to the full-text PDF: (PDF) Etahi Kaumātua Mokemoke: Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Older Māori Living in Aotearoa New Zealand (researchgate.net)