Williame Daveta
Certificate of University Preparation, Bachelor of Social Sciences, Bachelor of Sport and Human Performance, Master of Health, Sport and Human Performance, Graduate Certificate
Elletta Morrissey
Waikato-Tainui, Ng膩i Tai, Houma, Kolomotu鈥檃, Vailoa, Toamua
By weaving Kaupapa M膩ori Psychology into her studies, Elletta Morrissey gained a deeper, more holistic understanding of psychology, discovered new ways of thinking, and strengthened her connection to her own culture.
Waikato
Hamilton
Elletta Morrissey (Waikato-Tainui, Ng膩i Tai, Houma, Kolomotu鈥檃, Vailoa, Toamua) was determined to make the most of her study towards a Bachelor of Social Sciences majoring in Psychology at Waikato, both academically and personally.
She carefully chose papers that aligned with her values and, in her second year, found herself drawn to a minor in Kaupapa M膩ori Psychology.
Already on a personal journey to reconnect with her culture and te reo M膩ori, Elletta saw the minor as an opportunity to weave that journey into her academic studies.
鈥淚 wanted to broaden my perspectives on psychology, especially as it relates to my own culture,鈥� she says.
Kaupapa M膩ori Psychology integrates M膩ori worldviews with psychological theories, methods, and models, applying them to real-world situations where M膩ori are impacted.
Elletta says studying both Western and Kaupapa M膩ori psychologies gave her a more holistic understanding of the field.
鈥淚n my first year, I gained an understanding of methods and theories from a Western perspective, which often focused on the individual and their needs,鈥� she explains. 鈥淜aupapa M膩ori Psychology expanded on that by exploring how wider factors like culture, environment and wh膩nau shape how people experience the world.鈥�
Exposure to new perspectives also sharpened her critical thinking skills.
I鈥檝e learned to question my own biases, examine why I think something and be open to seeing it in a different way 鈥� or at least understand another perspective.
Elletta now finds she can draw from both knowledge systems, and believes that while each takes a different approach, 鈥渢hey ultimately work toward the same goal鈥�.
As Indigenous psychologies become more commonplace, Elletta is hopeful that more people will be able to access support that acknowledges and respects their cultural identities.
鈥淭raditional psychological support generally hasn鈥檛 worked well for M膩ori because it fails to address the unique challenges that face them,鈥� she says. 鈥淚ndigenous psychology provides a way for people to connect with what is inherently familiar to them.鈥�
She credits the 鈥済rounded鈥� nature of te ao M膩ori with inspiring her to shift her focus from clinical psychology to a more community-focused path.
鈥淚 want to be out in the community, supporting people directly,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hat's where I know I will find the most fulfilment and make the most impact.鈥�
