Projects

This project explores how digital narratives of tohunga can be curated to support and enrich the multiliteracies of ākonga, particularly in Te Tai Tokerau. At its heart, Tohunga Talks is a collaborative digital storytelling initiative grounded in Te Tai Tokerau mātauranga tuku iho, Kaupapa Māori research approaches, and the Mana Model.

In collaboration with Te Weu Charitable Trust, this research seeks to address critical gaps in our understanding of climate change impacts and adaptation strategies specific to Māori communities in Te Tairāwhiti.

The project will explore the research question: What would a kaupapa Māori based social media platform for Māori communities and whānau look and feel like?  The research will involve engaging with a specific Māori community through wānanga/whakawhiti kōrero in order to ascertain the key elements required to develop it into a more Māori-specific and -friendly platform. 

The research project is analysing the WIPO’s proposal to develop databases of Indigenous Knowledge and genetic resources through a case study on mātauranga Māori innovations in papakāinga and assessing findings about novel mātauranga vis-à-vis existing and proposed domestic and international laws regarding data in registries.

Keita’s research is a qualitative case study on MANUKURA and sets out to explore what practices and/or principles are gained from the kura that support ākonga Māori in their educational aspirations. To achieve this, Keita is interested in the voices of raukura (graduates) of MANUKURA and their whānau, current senior ākonga and their whānau, kaiako, and key people who contributed to the early stages of developing this kura.

This project explored the intersection of te ao Māori and intellectual property law through a case study on the haka Ka Mate and the rights of Ngāti Toa Rangatira.
It critically examined the Haka Ka Mate Attribution Act 2014, questioning its effectiveness in protecting Ngāti Toa’s interests within current legal frameworks.

Intern

Ocean Bartlett, Ngati Porou, Ngāpuhi, University of Canterbury

Supervisor

Adrienne Paul, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury

The internship is provided as part of the prestigious NPM Borrin Foundation Legal Research Internship award.

Overview

This project examined the impact of the invasive freshwater gold clam on the mauri of Waiwaia and taonga species in the Waipā River. It assessed the species' role from a Te Ao Māori perspective and proposed culturally grounded responses for environmental protection.

This project investigated the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle on Māori and wider communities in Hawke’s Bay, highlighting the delayed government response. It explored how co-governance between Māori and local authorities could improve disaster preparedness and recovery planning.

Intern

Stacy-Ria Te Kurapa-King, University of Auckland

Supervisor

Dr Anneka Anderson, University of Auckland

Overview

This internship project was a targeted literature review adopting a Whakapapa research methodology to explore the facilitators and barriers of immunisation for tamariki Māori in NZ. 

This internship focused on the creation of a ‘supervisor’s package’ to support He Ara Pūkeko, an apprenticeship programme.

This internship created briefs for whānau Māori that explored what Māori Data Sovereignty is and why the protection of Māori data is important in today’s world of rapid technological advancement.

How do whānau define and experience quality engagement from health services? This internship included a Kaupapa Māori-informed literature review to inform development of a maternal mental health tool.

This internship project explored the intergenerational impacts of FASD on Indigenous whānau, hapū, iwi and hapori.

This internship focused on decolonisation in the context of Aotearoa’s child protection system.

This internship canvassed a localised Māori community’s response to severe weather events to highlight the implications for psychology.

How do we protect our data as Māori? This internship explored Māori data sovereignty—what it means, how it’s practiced, and why it matters. Through a series of easy-to-understand research briefs, the project supports whānau Māori to better understand and navigate issues like facial recognition technology and the future of our digital information.

Why do Māori pharmacists stay—or leave—the profession? This project explored the career experiences of Māori pharmacists, using surveys and literature to uncover the key factors influencing their decisions. The findings will help shape a more supportive and sustainable future for Māori in pharmacy.

How do Māori experience and navigate cannabis and methamphetamine use in their lives and communities? This kaupapa Māori project internship centred whānau voices to better understand the challenges and solutions from within – aiming to shift the narrative from criminalisation to healing and wellbeing.

This internship project examined the collision and contest of te ao Māori and the intellectual property system with respect to mātauranga Māori.