5 minutes with Dr Melissa Cragg

Dr Melissa Cragg has spent the past two decades dedicated to better health outcomes for Māori. She has held a range of health sector roles, including Senior Project Manager – Mental Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Kaiwhakahaere Kaupapa at the former Nelson Marlborough District Health Board, Te Kaihautu at Poutini Waiora and is a member of Hei Ahuru Mowai, the National Māori Cancer Leadership Board. Dr Cragg completed her doctorate in Māori Studies at Massey University in 2010. Her thesis was titled, ‘The Application of Custom to Contemporary Māori Resource Development.’ Based in Wairau, Dr Cragg was appointed in August to lead the Te Tauihu Covid-19 Research Project. We sat down with Dr Cragg to find out more.

Who are you hoping to reach to take part in this research?

It’s the voice of whānau first and foremost. We want whānau to engage in the project, so we are able to hear views, experiences and whakaaro regarding the impact COVID has had on whānau. We want to hear from a wide range of whānau, those who have had COVID, those who have cared for somebody with COVID, those who needed to stay in a quarantine facility and those who were vaccinated and those who were not. We want to hear from whānau who reside in Te Tauihu, both mana whenua and maataa waka. We want to hear from rangatahi, pākeke and kaumātua.

Does a study like this actually give the true picture?

A study such as this is a snapshot in time and is reliant on those whānau who choose to take part. That is why it is important for a wide range of whānau to engage and share their experiences with us, so we have as full a picture as possible. This project will be underpinned by kaupapa Māori methodologies and therefore will centre around whānau voices and experiences. You cannot get any truer than whānau experience.

What sort of themes are you expecting to emerge, or are you unable to go in with fixed ideas?

We haven’t come with any fixed ideas about themes that will emerge. We know from informal conversations with whānau to date what some challenges have been but anticipate the breadth of this will become more apparent once we speak with a wider range of whānau across the rohe. It is expected that we will hear from whānau about a wide range of challenges and impacts but also the resilience that whānau have shown over this time. Challenges such as: financial impacts through loss of or reducing of employment and the flow on from that, such as whānau needing to support each other more to survive; mental health impacts, including for those who have never experienced any form of mental health distress previously; the conflicting views within whānau regarding vaccination; and access to services and support. These could all be part of the many experiences that are shared through this project.

Is there any particular age group that sticks out when it comes to health and inequity?

The inequity for whānau has been right across the age spectrum. However, our most vulnerable whānau have suffered the greatest. So, it will be important for the project to hear from rangatahi and kaumātua as well as pākeke who have been providing additional care and support for the entire whānau.

How can a project like this help going forward?

The findings from this project will be used to educate local iwi, hapū and whānau about how we can respond more effectively in a pandemic or emergency situation. It will highlight the areas that did not work as well as they could have and the areas that were really effective and could be built on further. The findings from this project will inform future planning, funding and strategy. This is important because if changes are not made then improvements will not be seen and having whānau voice informing these changes is crucial.

How do you think the overall Covid-19 response has gone?

For those whānau who were known and connected, the COVID response was mainly successful. However, for those whānau who were not connected into existing networks or who were not known of, the response has provided very little to no support. More often than not the whānau that are not connected, that are not accessing services and support are our most vulnerable whānau.

Have you had Covid-19? What were your experiences?

Yes, I have had COVID. I thought I had been doing very well with not getting it. I had all three jabs and was wearing a mask where I needed to. However, I attended a public event where very few people were wearing masks (including myself because it was outside, and I thought it would be OK!) and three days later began feeling the symptoms of COVID.

By this time, I had travelled away from home and was unable to return, because I needed to isolate but also because of how unwell I became very quickly. I have not been that unwell since having glandular fever as a teenager. I had it in my head that it would only last a couple of days. I was very unwell for a good week and then was unable to work for a further week because I hadn’t recovered enough. It took about two months before I was able to work full days without becoming completely fatigued by mid-afternoon. And even now I am still experiencing ‘brain fog’ and fatigue some days. I was in isolation with one other person who also became unwell with COVID. We were in a very isolated rural setting so had no outside support at this time, except for whānau calling to check on us. I hated being away from my own home when I was unwell.

What is the difference in information collected when you speak to someone kanohi ki te kanohi as opposed to an online survey format. What are the pros and cons of each?

When it comes to undertaking research with whānau and wanting as many whānau to take part it is important to offer as many options for participation as possible. For some whānau they will be more open and honest in a kanohi ki te kanohi situation but for others this will happen where they are able to articulate in writing what their experiences are. All whānau are different, so it is important to offer as many options as possible. 

The kanohi ki te kanohi approach allows whānau to share in a safe, non-judgemental space. For many whānau it will be the first time they have been asked to share their experiences and many find it very powerful and therapeutic. 

The online survey option provides an opportunity for whānau who maybe more comfortable stating how they are feeling without expressing this verbally.

For both options there will be support available if required as we acknowledge this kaupapa is very sensitive for many whānau who have not had positive experiences.