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Tangata · NPM Researcher

Dr Katharina Ruckstuhl

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Research Lead and Kahui Maori

Katharina is a Senior Research Analyst and Researcher at the University of Otago. She uses a kaupapa Māori framework to focus on the translation of policy into practice for Māori. Her research is broad-ranging and includes Māori small and medium enterprises, Māori business innovation, Māori language, and Māori ‘social licence’ in the oil, gas and mining industries.

Katharina has governance, research and leadership roles for Ngāi Tahu at the tribal and local levels, and has been consulted on or involved in a number of regional economic development projects. She joined the University of Otago in 2008 after working for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu for five years as education manager and project consultant and worked with communities, local and central government agencies to implement Māori-focused initiatives throughout the South Island education sector. Prior to that, she had been in the teaching profession.

Dr Ruckstuhl completed her Honours degree and Ph.D. through the English Department at Otago. As well, she has post-graduate qualifications in Education through Massey University.

Rangahau · Related projects

Whakaaweawe

24WHA03Toitū te Hakapupu: Restoration of the Pleasant River – a documentary journey
Kaiārahi · Project lead Dr Katharina Ruckstuhl
Whare wānanga · Host University of Otago
Matakitenga · Framework
Wā rangahau · Timeline Commenced 2024 · Completed 2025

Project SummaryThis project is part of a ‘circular economy’ research project based on a Jobs for Nature’ [J4N] river restoration programme, Toitū te Hakapupu, being undertaken by Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki (Puketeraki) in East Otago. A CE aims to optimize circular material flows to reduce resource consumption and environmental impacts and is said to…

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Matakitenga project

23MR12Mō Ngā Uri a Muri Ake Nei: Supporting Te Tai o Araiteuru Inter-generational Decision-making Through Sea-rise Visualisation
Kaiārahi · Project lead Dr Katharina Ruckstuhl
Whare wānanga · Host University of Otago
Matakitenga · Framework
Wā rangahau · Timeline Commenced 2023

Sea level rise is threatening many marae and coastal cultural sites across Te Tai o Araiteuru. Yet existing climate models are complex and often not locally relevant or easy to understand. This project created a dynamic, culturally grounded 3D visualisation of the Otago coastline, integrating Kāi Tahu cultural data with environmental modelling to support…

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Ētahi atu · Other people

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