Work Life Balance: A Māori Women's Perspective

Abstract

Spending time at work, with family/whānau, and communities takes up a large proportion of Māori women's lives. Finding a balance can often be complex and challenging, due to surrounding environmental influences that are continually changing. This thesis explores those challenges, and considers whether 'being Māori' affects the way they manage their lives around the dimensions of work family/whanau and community. The study interviewed Māori women over 20 years of age, in paid work, and who were active members in two urban Māori communities of Auckland, namely Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust and Manukau Urban Māori Authority. It was anticipated that information gleaned could be used to consider positive strategies to facilitate the better management of their time given the constraints imposed on them by modern existence without compromising their cultural obligations as Māori actively involved in their communities. Overall, it was found that being Māori does have an affect on how the women manage their lives around work, family/whānau, and community. A number of factors are identified that help balance work and everyday life including whanau and community support as well as individual strategies and personal assistance. For example, flexible employers that valued Māori beliefs and culture helped reinforce and facilitate the achievement of this balance. Similarly, quality childcare was invaluable. Further research is suggested as to how Māori women balance competing priorities from community and whānau demands.