Partnership, Production & Exchange of Knowledges

ABSTRACT The authors’ mission is to describe the partnership, production, and exchange of knowledges between the Māori and non-Māori people in the project entitled, Te Puāwaitanga o Ngā Tapuwae Kia Ora Tonu. Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLAC Study NZ). LiLACS NZ is an investigation of the successful factors and trends of [advanced] ageing of two groups of people who are 80 plus years old and more. In the project, the two groups may be considered the elite of the oldest old since they are 1% of their cohort in their birth year still living. Currently, the longitudinal study is in the 5 th year of operation. The focus of the article is on the lived experience narrated by the advisory group of Elders called, Te RōpūKaitiaki o ngā tikanga Māori (the protectors of principles of conduct in Māori research) at the Gerontological Society of America’s conference in New Orleans in 2013

Life and living in advanced age: a cohort study in New Zealand - Te Puāwaitanga o Nga Tapuwae Kia Ora Tonu, LiLACS NZ: Study protocol

The number of people of advanced age (85 years and older) is increasing and health systems may be challenged by increasing health-related needs. Recent overseas evidence suggests relatively high levels of wellbeing in this group, however little is known about people of advanced age, particularly the indigenous Māori, in Aotearoa, New Zealand. This paper outlines the methods of the study Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand. The study aimed to establish predictors of successful advanced ageing and understand the relative importance of health, frailty, cultural, social & economic factors to successful ageing for Māori and non-Māori in New Zealand

Making language documentation work for the community: Some indigenous priorities and perspectives

It is necessary that linguists and others involved in the documentation of indigenous and minority languages listen to the voices of the communities they wish to serve. This one-hour panel session brings together experts from Asia and the Pacific who will report on community perspectives as they apply to indigenous and minority language protection and promotion. Particular emphasis will be placed on what such communities have to say regarding the applicability of linguistic documentation within the context of educational initiatives, either as part of language/culture revitalization projects, or as part of mother tongue medium of instruction, bilingual or multilingual/multicultural education programs. The panelists, who for the most part are indigenous themselves, have been both activists and leaders on issues of language policy, planning and implementation in their respective regions. Their work covers a wide geographical span including Kosrae in the Federated States of Micronesia; Maori, Tongan and Pasifika communities in Aotearoa/New Zealand and the South Pacific; and among Udeghe and Nanai communities in Far East Russia. Their reports will focus on what these communities have to say about some of the following key issues: 1. The extent to which indigenous and minority language communities – even highly endangered ones – have traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and related skills to tell their stories and develop educational materials which will protect and promote their languages and cultures. 2. The degree to which much linguistic documentation involves "outside experts" collecting data from "native informants" and how this may create an elitist dichotomy, which serves to marginalize indigenous communities, and further exacerbate what has been referred to as a "glass barrier" in academia. 3. How well linguistic documentation is linked to application and why in some cases data never gets back to the community – or never gets back in usable form. 4. How to ensure that funding procedures and decisions regarding research methodologies are placed in the hands of the community and based on indigenous models of communication and epistemologies, rather than on research models and technical categories imposed from the outside. (This is in keeping with the 2007 United Nations Resolution on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) 5. The necessity of linking all work within indigenous communities to a critical understanding of the processes of globalization and how these relate to the killing of biological, cultural and linguistic diversity

Engagement and recruitment of Māori and non‐Māori people of advanced age to LiLACS NZ

Abstract Objectives : Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ) aims to determine the predictors of successful advanced ageing and understand the trajectories of wellbeing in advanced age. This paper reports recruitment strategies used to enrol 600 Māori aged 80–90 years and 600 non‐Māori aged 85 years living within a defined geographic boundary. Methods : Electoral roll and primary health lists of older people were used as a base for identification and recruitment, supplemented by word of mouth, community awareness raising and publicity. A Kaupapa Māori method was used to recruit Māori with: dual Māori and non‐Māori research leadership; the formation of a support group; local tribal organisations and health providers recruiting participants; and use of the Māori language in interviews. Non‐Māori were recruited through local health and community networks. Six organisations used differing strategies to invite older people to participate in several ways: complete full or partial interviews; complete physical assessments; provide a blood sample and provide access to medical records. Results : During 14 months in 2010–2011, 421 of 766 (56%) eligible Māori and 516 of 870 (59%) eligible non‐Māori were enrolled. Participation and contribution of information varied across the recruitment sites. Conclusion : Attention to appropriate recruitment techniques resulted in an acceptable engagement and recruitment for both Māori and non‐Māori of advanced age in a longitudinal cohort study. Implications : There is high potential for meaningful results useful for participants, their whānau and families, health agencies, planners and policy

Descriptive epidemiology of physical activity levels and patterns in New Zealanders in advanced age

Background: Little is known about the physical activity levels and behaviors of advanced age New Zealanders. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of data from Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ), Te Puawaitanga O Nga Tapuwae Kia ora Tonu, measures of physical activity (PASE) (n = 664, aged 80-90 [n = 254, Maori, aged 82.5(2), n = 410 non-Maori, aged 85(.5)]) was conducted to determine physical activity level (PAL). A substudy (n = 45) was conducted to attain detailed information about PAL and behaviors via the Multimedia Activity Recall for Children and Adults (MARCA) and accelerometry. The main study was analyzed by sex for Maori and non-Maori. Results: Men consistently had higher levels of physical activity than women for all physical activity measures. Sex was significant for different domains of activity

Descriptive Epidemiology of Physical Activity Levels and Patterns in New Zealanders in Advanced Age

Background: Little is known about the physical activity levels and behaviors of advanced age New Zealanders. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of data from Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ), Te Puāwaitanga O Nga Tapuwae Kia ora Tonu, measures of physical activity (PASE) (n = 664, aged 80–90 [n = 254, Māori, aged 82.5(2), n = 410 non-Māori, aged 85(.5)]) was conducted to determine physical activity level (PAL). A substudy (n = 45) was conducted to attain detailed information about PAL and behaviors via the Multimedia Activity Recall for Children and Adults (MARCA) and accelerometry. The main study was analyzed by sex for Māori and non-Māori. Results: Men consistently had higher levels of physical activity than women for all physical activity measures. Sex was significant for different domains of activity

Cohort profile: Te Puawaitanga o Nga Tapuwae Kia Ora Tonu, life and living in advanced age: a cohort study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ)

The ageing of the population globally and in New Zealand (NZ) was the main driver for this study. In Aoteoroa, New Zealand, little is known about Māori and non-Māori of advanced age, yet population projections predict a trebling of the number of Māori and a doubling of non-Māori octogenarians in the next 10 years. 1 The impact of common health conditions may differ for older people when compared with their younger counterparts. The importance of social support and practical assistance may vary according to the psychological and functional ability of those in advanced age. The incidence and predictors of falls and fractures in advanced age are unknown, as is the relationship between traditional and novel cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular outcomes. The relationship between dietary intake, nutritional status and functional decline in advanced age may point the way to food strategies for better health

Cultural and social factors and quality of life of māori in advanced age. Te puawaitanga o nga tapuwae kia ora tonu – life and living in advanced age: a cohort study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ)

Aim To establish 1) the socioeconomic and cultural profile and 2) correlates of quality of life (QOL) of Maori in advanced age. Method A cross sectional survey of a population based cohort of Maori aged 80–90 years, participants in LiLACS NZ, in the Rotorua and Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand. Socioeconomic and cultural engagement characteristics were established by personal interview and QOL was assessed by the SF-12. Results In total 421 (56%) participated and 267 (63%) completed the comprehensive interview. Maori lived with high deprivation areas and had received a poor education in the public system. Home ownership was high (81%), 64% had more than 3 children still living and social support was present for practical tasks and emotional support in 82%. A need for more practical help was reported by 21%. Fifty-two percent of the participants used te reo Maori me nga tikanga (Maori language and culture) daily. One in five had experienced discrimination and one in five reported colonisation affecting their life today. Greater frequency of visits to marae/sacred gathering places was associated with higher physical health-related QOL. Unmet need for practical help was associated with lower physical health-related QOL. Lower mental health-related QOL was associated with having experienced discrimination. Conclusion Greater language and cultural engagement is associated with higher QOL for older Maori and unmet social needs and discrimination are associated with lower QOL

Cultural and social factors and quality of life of Maori in advanced age. Te puawaitanga o nga tapuwae kia ora tonu - Life and living in advanced age: a cohort study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ)

AIM: To establish 1) the socioeconomic and cultural profile and 2) correlates of quality of life (QOL) of Maori in advanced age. METHOD: A cross sectional survey of a population based cohort of Maori aged 80-90 years, participants in LiLACS NZ, in the Rotorua and Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand. Socioeconomic and cultural engagement characteristics were established by personal interview and QOL was assessed by the SF-12. RESULTS: In total 421 (56%) participated and 267 (63%) completed the comprehensive interview. Maori lived with high deprivation areas and had received a poor education in the public system. Home ownership was high (81%), 64% had more than 3 children still living and social support was present for practical tasks and emotional support in 82%. A need for more practical help was reported by 21%. Fifty-two percent of the participants used te reo Maori me nga tikanga (Maori language and culture) daily. One in five had experienced discrimination and one in five reported colonisation affecting their life today. Greater frequency of visits to marae/sacred gathering places was associated with higher physical health-related QOL. Unmet need for practical help was associated with lower physical health-related QOL. Lower mental health-related QOL was associated with having experienced discrimination. CONCLUSION: Greater language and cultural engagement is associated with higher QOL for older Maori and unmet social needs and discrimination are associated with lower QOL