About this research
Intern
Jury Teniteni-Smeaton, Victoria University of Wellington
Supervisor
Dr Jesse Pirini & Associate Professor Jessica Lai, Victoria University of Wellington
Overview
This internship project examines the collision and contest of te ao Māori and the intellectual property system with respect to mātauranga Māori. The overall research goal of the internship was to identify a specific kind of mātauranga Māori from a specific community, and to start to compare and contrast how it is managed within that community, with how it exists and would be managed within the patent system (or how it might, if it were to enter the patent system).
The intern focused on the haka Ka Mate. The project aimed to address the question - whether the interests of Ngāti Toa Rangatira relating to Ka Mate are sufficiently protected by this Act and any other relevant enactment or policy of the Crown? - in reviewing the Haka Ka Mate Act 2014. The intern then investigated the interests and cultural significance of the Haka to Ngāti Toa, and the current intellectual property system and its interaction with the haka Ka Mate. Lastly this project considered the effectiveness of the Act in these circumstances and poses questions of how Ngāti Toa assert their interests in relation to external parties' use of the haka.
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.
Ētahi atu · Other projects
This internship created a 3D-printed Tekoteko trophy using a biodegradable harakeke filament to honor the memory of Dr Paora Mato. The project blends traditional Māori carving with contemporary art, sparking conversations about tikanga and cultural practice.
View projectHe Tohu Maumahara ki a Paora Mato
This internship created a 3D-printed Tekoteko trophy using a biodegradable harakeke filament to honor the memory of Dr Paora Mato.
The project blends traditional Māori carving with contemporary art, sparking conversations about tikanga and cultural practice.
This project trialled a bush-ready acoustic sound lure, co-developed with Auroa School students, to help draw out remaining possums from hard-to-reach areas of the Kaitake ranges. Supporting Taranaki Mounga Project and DOC’s pest eradication goals, this innovative tech aims to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and protect precious biodiversity.
View projectTe Au Roa – Predator sound lure trial: Draw possums out of those difficult to reach places on Taranaki Mounga
This project trialled a bush-ready acoustic sound lure, co-developed with Auroa School students, to help draw out remaining possums from hard-to-reach areas of the Kaitake ranges.
Supporting Taranaki Mounga Project and DOC’s pest eradication goals, this innovative tech aims to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and protect precious biodiversity.
This internship explored the wellbeing benefits of daily karakia and waiata at the University of Canterbury, highlighting their role in fostering cultural connection and belonging. Using a braided rivers methodology, the project captured staff and student experiences of these powerful tikanga Māori practices.
View projectTūrou Hawaiki: Morning karakia and waiata as a culturally responsive pedagogy
This internship explored the wellbeing benefits of daily karakia and waiata at the University of Canterbury, highlighting their role in fostering cultural connection and belonging.
Using a braided rivers methodology, the project captured staff and student experiences of these powerful tikanga Māori practices.