Groot, S. A. M., Hodgetts, D., Nikora, L. W., Rua, M., & Groot, D.
Culture Homelessness Society
In McIntosh, T., & Mulholland, M. (Eds). Maori and social issues. Huia., , 235-247
2015
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This chapter addresses the homelessness issue in New Zealand, focusing on the Māori population's experiences.
The authors draw from interviews with Māori homeless people and relevant local and international literatures to show homemaking practices by Māori for those living on the streets. They highlight the disproportionate effects on Māori and Pasifika peoples regarding housing problems such as overcrowding, subpar accommodations, and street homelessness. They also detail the non-physical impacts of homelessness and explore the complexities of both Māori connections to place and the history of movement that contribute to these non-physical impacts. The chapter underlines the significance of considering homemaking and belonging in the context of homelessness. It explores how Māori cultural practices shape homemaking on the streets and contribute to preserving identity and humanity under adverse conditions. Their proposition is that Māori cultural practices shape a person’s efforts to retain a positive sense of self and place. The authors discuss how colonisation and socio-economic exclusions have contributed to Māori homelessness. The chapter also incorporates a case study to exemplify the complexities of Māori experiences with homelessness and their methods of creating a sense of home in non-traditional settings. This case study helps illustrate how homeless Māori can engage in home-making while they are living on the streets.
