Doctoral Projects

Zak Waipara (Ngati Porou, Rongowhakaata, Ngati Ruapani, Ngati Kahungnu), Auckland University of Technology

All pūrākau are concerned with how to make sense of our world and ourselves, especially so for indigenous people, because so much has been lost that our stories can be a beacon to find our way home again. “Genuine folklore has been created to teach and to preserve … explanations of the natural, supernatural, and human phenomena ... [reflecting] lifestyle, customs, values, beliefs, ideas, dispositions, humor, and many other aspects of a people.”

Jordan Aria Housiaux (Te Ati Awa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa), Massey University

This doctoral project clearly sits within the Ngā Pae o Māramatanga Research Theme: Te Tai Ao. Specifically, this research was established to develop a solution to the disarray often associated with whale stranding events. Unmethodical management and handling practises can lead to further stress experienced by stranded animals, and ultimately higher rates of death.

Helen Pearse-Otene (Ngāpuhi-Ngāti Kurī; Rongomaiwahine-Ngāti Kahungunu; Ngāti Pahawauwera; Ngāti Ruanui; Ngāti Pākehā), Massey University

The project is a partnership based on already existing relations between participants from academia, the performing arts, and hard to reach communities that connect through a women’s support group. This research whānau will draw upon a range of mātauranga, tools, techniques, and differing perspectives of mana wāhine – in a transdisciplinary, collaborative research project that will reclaim the pūrākau of Hinenui Te Pō as a medium to investigate personal stories of: transformation, Selfhood, healing journeys, self determination, and the transgression and then re-assertion of Mana Wāhine.

Lynley Uerata (Ngati Mahuta, Ngati Tahinga), University of Waikato

The proposed research will explore the precarious realities of eight Māori households and their culturally-patterned responses to socio-economic marginalisation.

The Māori precariat are a growing social class whose lives are rendered precarious by flexible and unstable employment, unliveable incomes, inadequate state support, low resources, stigma and marginalisation (Hodgetts & Griffin, 2015; Standing, 2014).

Literature suggests that precariat persons are becoming increasingly alienated from civic life and their rights are being eroded as they are transformed from citizens to morally and materially marginalised denizens (Hodgetts et al., 2013; 2014; Standing, 2014). Through examining factors that support and impinge upon their precarious reality and capacity for human flourishing. the research will generate a detailed profile and understanding of these people who are often judged for the precarious realities they contend with.

Tui Moana Matelau (Ngapuhi, Ngatikahi ki Whangaroa), Auckland University of Technology

As a lecturer who works in foundation and bridging education, I see the way that identity impacts on students’ ability to flourish in the tertiary education system. Tertiary institutions attempt to enhance the success of priority groups such as Maori and Pacific students

Renee Iritana Smith (Renee Iritana Smith), Massey University

My project “Tāngata Tōnui, Tāngata Mauri Ora” aligns with the research theme of ‘Mauri Ora’ as it specifically is aimed at investigating commonalities shared between flourishing, successful Māori individuals and communities. This will be done utilizing a kaupapa Māori methodology which therefore allows for a cultural specific way of investigating the construct of ‘flourishing’ in a way which has not been done before.