The 2017 MAI Doctoral Conference hosted by MAI ki Massey in Palmerston North, opened on Thursday 16 November and Co-Director Jacinta Ruru commented just how powerful and empowering this gathering of Māori and Indigenous doctoral students is; "This is such an important annual opportunity to bring together incredible postgraduate students from around the motu to spend time together supporting and inspiring one another”.

The first day of the cōnference was great fun with inspiring kōrero including;
- Dr Charlotte Severne (Massey’s Assistant Vice-Chancellor Māori and Pasifika and NPM Deputy Chair of our 21 partners college Te Tira Takimano) who recounted her PhD journey of completing in just 2 years 8 months (!)
- Professor Meihana Durie (Head of School of Te Putahi-a-Toi) who encouraged everyone to embrace the PhD experience and everything it brings to oneself and ones whanau.
- PhD students Teah Carlson (Massey) and Chelsea Cunningham (Otago) who commenced the student presentations, with Teah soon to submit and Chelsea just 6 months in.

NPM would like to thank the MAI ki Massey team for organising and hosting the conference, and especially the incredible Taniya Ward, Sarah Herbert and their team for everything they have done to ensure these are 3 very special days. The 2018 MAI Doctoral Conference will be hosted in Auckland by the MAI ki Tāmaki team in November next year.

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