Māori psychotherapy:

Paraire Huata

doi:10.9791/ajpanz.2010.02

Paraire Huata

DOI: https://doi.org/10.9791/ajpanz.2010.02

Abstract

More than 18 months ago I was asked to write something for the NZAP journal. I remember saying yes, and then forgetting all about it. Over that time, the requests have continued. Only today in May 2010, have I actually done something about it. I'm not sure what I said back then, so this is what I wrote to present at the Christchurch gathering.

I begin, however, with a story, a remembering now coloured by time and recited with a different awareness.

It's about two Susans at a time when they were beginning their careers as psychotherapists. I had the good fortune to spend a little time with both of them. Susan one shared her fears and wondering about working with a group of Māori men all incarcerated in 'A' Block at Paremoremo Prison. Here's this white chick dressed in vibrant colours enquiring about those unspoken things with hardcore criminals. "What can I do better, she asks me?"

Author Biography

Paraire Huata

Paraire Huata is of Ngati Kāhungunu descent. He is most comfortable with the term teacher in terms of his working life. For Paraire, the NZAP Conference represented opportunity to showcase Mātauranga Māori (Māori body of knowledge) as a reputable reference point when discussing practice. The partnership aspect that was demonstrated by the Christchurch branch of NZAP and Purapura Whetu, was very dear to him, and having the wananga at Te Puna Wānaka was of personal interest to him as his daughter is the Head of Māori Studies there. It was she and her students who provided the music and singing. He has a passion for education, especially for Māori, and always promotes scholarship and learning as a worthwhile endeavour. At present he is teaching on an Addictions Counselling Course with the Moana House Training Institute.

Māori psychotherapy

A cultural oxymoron

Abstract

Author Biography