About this research
Nadine Helen Riwai (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Te Uri o Hau, Ngai Takoto), The Univerisity of Auckland
Across Aotearoa, national cancer screening programmes—breast, bowel, cervical, and emerging areas such as lung screening—aim to save lives through early detection. Yet Māori continue to experience barriers to access, delayed diagnosis, and poorer outcomes. These inequities are not the result of individual behaviour, but of health systems that too often fail to uphold mana, dignity, and cultural safety for whānau.
This doctoral research will co-design a mana-enhancing Māori framework—provisionally titled He Taura Mana—to strengthen and transform how cancer screening programmes are designed and experienced. The framework’s name and form will evolve through kōrero and partnership with whānau, Māori cancer leadership groups, and community organisations, ensuring it reflects collective values and aspirations.
Guided by mātauranga Māori, tikanga, and whānau voice, this research seeks to restore connection between people, services, and policy. It will identify practical ways to embed mana-enhancing practice across policy, workforce development, and service delivery. Ultimately, this kaupapa aims to reimagine cancer screening in Aotearoa through a Māori worldview—one that centres equity, cultural integrity, and meaningful engagement so that whānau Māori experience screening as a pathway to wellbeing, not a point of inequity
Nadine Helen Riwai (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Te Uri o Hau, Ngai Takoto), The University of Auckland
Across Aotearoa, national cancer screening programmes—breast, bowel, cervical, and emerging areas such as lung screening—aim to save lives through early detection. Yet Māori continue to experience barriers to access, delayed diagnosis, and poorer outcomes. These inequities are not the result of individual behaviour, but of health systems that too often fail to uphold mana, dignity, and cultural safety for whānau.
Ētahi atu · Other projects
He oranga whānau: mahi ngātahi: Whānau livelihoods within the context of work and Māori economies of wellbeing. These groundbreaking works celebrate Māori futures rooted in kaupapa Māori values while fostering pathways for responsible relationships, meaningful lives, and flourishing Indigenous wellbeing economies. By emphasising the central role of whānau…
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He oranga whānau: mahi ngātahi: Whānau livelihoods within the context of work and Māori economies of wellbeing
He oranga whānau: mahi ngātahi: Whānau livelihoods within the context of work and Māori economies of wellbeing. These groundbreaking works celebrate Māori futures rooted in kaupapa Māori values while fostering pathways for responsible relationships, meaningful lives, and flourishing Indigenous wellbeing economies. By emphasising the central role of whānau, these publications provide actionable insights and inspiration for transformative change in economic and cultural systems.
This internship analysed how race and racism are framed in New Zealand’s social and traditional media around key issues like constitutional reform and Māori health. Guided by a research team, the intern conducted manual content analysis to uncover overt and subtle expressions of racism.
View projectSeparatism, or sovereignty? Exploring social media and news media narratives of Maaori tino-rangatiratanga in politics and health
This internship analysed how race and racism are framed in New Zealand’s social and traditional media around key issues like constitutional reform and Māori health.
Guided by a research team, the intern conducted manual content analysis to uncover overt and subtle expressions of racism.
This research explored how Kāi Tahu can strengthen control over kai systems, sources, and practices. By weaving together insights on Māori food and nutrition data sovereignty, it offers a foundation for future whānau- and hapori-led kai ora initiatives.
View projectTe Kai Ora a Kāi Tahu: Conceptualising Kāi Tahu kai sovereignty and Māori nutrition data sovereignty
This research explored how Kāi Tahu can strengthen control over kai systems, sources, and practices. By weaving together insights on Māori food and nutrition data sovereignty, it offers a foundation for future whānau- and hapori-led kai ora initiatives.