Bronwyn Campbell

Citation

Thesis Title
Negotiating Biculturalism: Deconstructing pakeha subjectivity

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Dr Campbell engaged social constructionist epistemology, deconstruction, and discourse analysis to constitute a reading of bicultural relations between Maori (researcher) and Pakeha (kaikorero/participants) in Aotearoa/New Zealand. A critique of race/ethnicity/culture unfolded psychology as replete with eurocentrisms. Practices of biculturalism became increasingly challenging, and bicultural dialogue struggled to have an audience with many Pakeha. Pakeha mental health practitioners engaging in bicultural practices were interviewed and texts of these conversations were read using deconstructive discourse analysis to consider how the kaikorero negotiate being Pakeha within available Pakeha (colonial) positions, and beyond into new (postcolonial) subject positions. Negotiating Pakeha subjectivity with a colonial past, a contemporary (Pakeha) mainstream, and exploring new relationships with Maori were found to be a difficult and complicated process of negotiating Pakeha privileges and Maori marginalisation. Discontent with the present state of biculturalism was mediated by positive aspirations for future relationships, which were consultative, collaborative, and collegial.

Supervisors
Professor Mandy Morgan
Professor Ian Evans