Research on dying

A three-year study of dying, death and bereavement among contemporary Maori is looking for participants in south Auckland.

The Kia Ngawari study by Waikato University aims to increase knowledge and understanding of Maori palliative needs, both within the healthcare system and among whanau.

Lead researcher Tess Moeke-Maxwell has won a Health Research Council grant of $341,443 for the research.

She aims to interview up to 30 end-of-life whanau living in south Auckland and the Waikato, and complete up to eight full case studies.

"We want to throw a lens on Maori families' experiences of death and dying to gather valuable experiential data on Maori processes associated with end of life," Dr Moeke-Maxwell says.

"We hope people who take part will feel they are contributing to something important, and see this as a way of helping others and generations to come."The study will also help identify any gaps in services, such as the healthcare system, resthomes, funeral services and Maori support systems.

Dr Moeke-Maxwell hopes to attract a diverse group of participants.

"We'd like to talk to people who reflect a range of life-threatening health conditions, ages and stages of dying," she says.

Recruiting will start in mid-July, with pamphlets available at health venues and an 0800 line to leave contact details.

Contact Dr Moeke-Maxwell at tessmm@ waikato.ac.nz for more information.

- © Fairfax NZ News