Welcome to our first e-pānui of 2023!

We are grateful that our Tāmaki-based secretariat and researchers were able to return to the office this week after the recent flooding. Our aroha goes out to the many whānau affected by the devastation left in its wake. The manaakitanga extended by communities and marae reminds us, once again, of the power of kotahitanga that endures within Te Ao Māori in times of crisis.

Extreme weather events and the wider effects of climate change will be front of mind at the International Indigenous Climate Change Research Summit which NPM will host later this year, from 13 to 17 November. The fully virtual conference will privilege an Indigenous paradigm of climate change and amplify Indigenous voices and solutions. Watch this space for ongoing updates and the call for papers.  

Meanwhile, our Kanapu team Vanessa Clark and Kakahurimu Paekau have been busy with preparations for a series of national and regional wānanga with Māori researchers, knowledge holders and innovators.

A new NPM initiative, Kanapu has been funded by MBIE to accelerate Māori RSI talent, leadership and system navigation. You can read more about what’s in store for Kanapu later in our e-pānui.

Finally, many of us at NPM are looking forward to one of the most highly anticipated events on the Māori social calendar – the spectacular festival that is Te Matatini. Usually held biennially, the last time Te Matatini was held was in 2019 due to pandemic disruptions. This year the festival will take place at Eden Park from 22  to 25 February, and the occasion will be extra special due to its 50th anniversary. To commemorate, e-pānui takes a walk down memory lane with Te Matatini life member, Trevor Maxwell, who reflects on the enormous influence kapa haka has had on his life and the many joys and impacts, both on and off the stage.

We leave you with this clip of 2019 Matatini winners Ngā Tumanako.

Ngā Pou Matarua | Co-Directors

•  Professor Tahu Kukutai
• Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora