Frequently Asked Questions

We want to hear about your own experiences and what mattered to you. Each Wāhi
Kōrero project has a different focus, and the project page will give you some ideas
about the kinds of experiences you might want to share.
There is no right or wrong kind of story. Your story might be about something that
worked well, something that was difficult, something you wish had been different, or
something you think others could learn from.

Your story does not need to be long. Share as much or as little as you need to tell us
what happened and what is important to you.

Choose the Wāhi Kōrero project you would like to contribute to and click on ‘Share
your story’. You can write your story directly into the box and submit through the
website.
Alternatively, you can upload an audio or video recording. We will transcribe these
and remove names or other details that could identify you.
You do not need to include your name, and you can skip the optional questions at
the end if you do not want to answer them.

Every story shared through Wāhi Kōrero is a taonga. After you submit your story, our team reviews it before publishing it on the website or using it in research. We remove names and other details that could identify you or other people.
Your story then becomes part of the Wāhi Kōrero collection, helping us build a wider picture of what whānau are experiencing.

We do not ask for your name when you share a story. Before a story is published on Wāhi Kōrero or used in research, publications or presentations, we remove names and other details that could reasonably identify you or other people.
We will not publish information that could reasonably identify you without your permission. Our focus is on the experiences being shared, not on who shared them.

After identifying details have been removed, your story may be published on the Wāhi Kōrero website. Stories may also contribute to research, reports, presentations, resources, education and other work arising from Wāhi Kōrero.
When stories are used in research or publications, we take care to represent the context in which they were shared and not to change their meaning.

We look across many stories to understand the experiences, strengths, challenges and ideas whānau are sharing. Bringing stories together can reveal patterns and insights that may not be visible through surveys or statistics alone.
We use what we learn collectively to inform research, improve health and social services, support education and training, contribute to policy and system change, support advocacy, and develop resources for communities.

Each story adds to a bigger picture of what is working well, what is difficult, and what whānau say needs to change.
We work with communities, organisations and decision-makers so that what we learn from the stories can contribute to better services, systems and outcomes for whānau and communities.
We are also committed to sharing what we learn back with communities through reports, resources, updates and other accessible ways, so people can see what the stories are telling us and how that kōrero is being used.
You can read our work in the Findings section of this website.

Wāhi Kōrero upholds Māori data sovereignty and treats the stories shared with us as taonga. Our approach is guided by tikanga Māori and Māori leadership, including our Kāhui Rangahau (Research Advisory Group).
When we work with stories shared by tāngata whenua, we take care to represent them respectfully and in context, and to ensure the research contributes to collective benefit for Māori. We are also committed to returning knowledge to whānau and communities in accessible ways.

The questions about you and your circumstances are optional. They help us understand whose voices are represented in Wāhi Kōrero and whether we are hearing from a diverse range of whānau.
You can skip any question you do not want to answer.

We do not sell your story or personal information. We do not share information that could identify you with organisations, services, researchers or decision-makers.

Yes. The Wāhi Kōrero research platform was reviewed and approved by the Massey University Human Ethics Committee (Application SOB 21/30).

We want you to feel confident about what happens to your kōrero. If you would like to know more about Wāhi Kōrero, how stories are cared for, or how they may be used, please contact us at [email protected]. You can read more about our team in the About section of this website.