Ara Wairua: Developing and utilising a Māori cultural analysis tool for research

This paper discusses the development and utility of the Ara Wairua data analysis tool. The term Ara Wairua means ‘spiritual pathway’ in the Māori language. Ara Wairua symbolises the existential journey researchers take when exploring the essence of participants insights and the richness of their voices. The intention was to develop a data analysis tool to help explore the experiences of Māori healers and social workers, and how these individuals understand traditional healing knowledge in social work. The various analytical stages integrate important qualitative techniques such as the practice of observation, coding and creating themes however these aspects have been adapted to align with four states of human consciousness from a Māori spiritual perspective. Each stage guides researchers through a rigorous and intuitive process to elicit key kaupapa (themes) contained within participants’ stories. The Ara Wairua analysis tool is underpinned by pūrākau (narrative) methodology which is an ancestral story telling framework used by researchers to capture the richness of individuals experiences. The Ara Wairua initiates the praxis of pūrākau methodology by engaging the researcher in a cyclic motion of thinking, being and doing as they move through the research journey. This feature of the Ara Wairua tool further engages researchers in processes of reflexivity and reflection, both of which are critical skills when doing research with Indigenous Peoples.