Kama Papa

Kama Kohimoana Papa is a descendant of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Te Aitanga a Hauiti and Tūhoe. Her foundations in te reo Māori and social geography inform a deep interest in language, cultural identity, human movement and the diverse ways people understand and navigate the world.

With more than 25 years of lived experience navigating health, disability and education systems through her whānau's journey with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), she brings together lived experience, Indigenous knowledge and critical inquiry into the ways health, identity and knowledge are understood.

Grounded in Te Ao Māori, Kama's work draws on whakapapa, whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, mana wahine, mana tāne and tino rangatiratanga, recognising the importance of cultural identity, relationships, whānau knowledge and self-determination in shaping approaches to health, wellbeing and decision-making.

She recently presented her own framework at the Human Genetics Society of Australasia conference and continues to explore the intersections of whakapapa, Indigenous knowledge, lived experience and self-determination through her writing, examining how individuals and whānau navigate health, identity and the systems that shape their lives.