Napier student's research into IronMāori benefits earns master's degree

University of Auckland graduate Sharron Fabish says initiatives like IronMāori promote good health and wellbeing. Photo / Supplied

Napier's Sharron Fabish graduated from the University of Auckland this week after finishing her research into the benefits of IronMāori - an indigenous triathlon.

Fabish graduated on Wednesday with a Master of Education degree.

She was one of 20 students from Napier, and 34 from Hawke's Bay, to take part in the University of Auckland's Autumn Graduation - one of New Zealand's largest celebrations of academic achievement held between May 7-11.

For her research Fabish followed the experiences of IronMāori participants to explore in-depth how the initiative enhances wellbeing for Māori communities.

"I chose to do a Master of Education because from a kaupapa Māori perspective and as a Māori researcher, the intent of my research was to contribute to better outcomes for Māori," she said.

"Māori, on average, have the poorest health status of any ethnic group in New Zealand. Initiatives like IronMāori play an important role in reducing this disparity by promoting good health and wellbeing.

"It was the normalisation of the Māori cultural concepts, beliefs and values within this sporting initiative that had the greatest impact."

The inclusion of whanaungatanga (sense of family connection) and manaakitanga (support, hospitality, kindness) meant their identity as Māori was enhanced, which in turn lead to a greater sense of wellbeing."

The next IronMāori half ironman event is to take place in Hawke's Bay in December.
Passionate about both Māori health and education, she now works with school leaders and teachers in the Hawke's Bay and Manawatū regions, as a professional learning and development facilitator with Te Puna Wānanga in the Faculty of Education and Social Work.

"I am passionate about equitable outcomes in education and the completion of my master's [degree] has helped me to support leaders and teachers to do this more effectively, particularly in the area of meeting the needs and aspirations of Māori learners and their whānau," she said.