Pātai Te Ao Māori

Awardee: Morgana Vicki Watson (Taranaki, Te Atiawa, Te Atihaunui-a-Papaarangi, Ngāpuhi), University of Canterbury

This research explores how Māori Futurism can be realised through interactive media, merging traditional Māori knowledge with futuristic storytelling and technology. The project investigates the transformative potential of Māori media, where Te Reo me ngā Tikanga are integrated into the development process of, as well as within immersive, interactive worlds. It aims to create culturally authentic experiences that empower Māori and Indigenous communities by offering edutaining ways to engage with their/our culture, language, and identity.

Awardee: Deacon Fisher (Ngāpuhi (Te Parawhau, Te Uriroroi, Te Māhurehure ki Whatitiri)), Massey University

In recent years, pūrākau have been an area of research interest. This has primarily resulted in the emergence of pūrākau as a mode of therapeutic intervention. Despite this, pūrākau and their application within the social work profession are yet to be explored. In addition, whilst tikanga Māori across social services has been previously explored, tikanga ā-iwi and kawa ā-iwi have often been of secondary focus, aside from the respective research conducted by Wheturangi Walsh-Tapiata, Hayley Bell, and Tania Rickard.

In recent years, pūrākau have been an area of research interest. This has primarily resulted in the emergence of pūrākau as a mode of therapeutic intervention. Despite this, pūrākau and their application within the social work profession are yet to be explored. In addition, whilst tikanga Māori across social services has been previously explored, tikanga ā-iwi and kawa ā-iwi have often been of secondary focus, aside from the respective research conducted by Wheturangi Walsh-Tapiata, Hayley Bell, and Tania Rickard.

Awardee: Uenukuterangihoka Jefferies (Ngāti Raukawa, Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Ngāti Awa, Te Whakatōhea), University of Auckland

This kaupapa Māori-informed study explores how fidgeting—small, repetitive movements often seen in people with wairangi ā-aronga (ADHD)—might be linked to patterns of brain activity and thinking. The research focuses on rangatahi and pakeke (16 years and older) in Tairāwhiti, with 40 participants: 20 with lived experience of wairangi ā-aronga and 20 neurotypical individuals, matched by age and gender.

Awardee: Mona-Lisa Wareka (Ngātiwai, Ngāti Rereahu), University of Waikato

This research aims towards facilitating transformative change by investigating the impacts and experiences Māori face under current cannabis laws, while examining opinions surrounding potential decriminalisation. This project is significant as it is the first of its kind in Aotearoa, and looks to challenge attitudes surrounding cannabis at an academic level.

Awardee: Hamiora Te Momo (Ngāti Porou (Ngāti Konohi), Ngāti Raukawa (Ngāti Whakatere), University of Waikato

This doctorial study in computer science explores the design and development of a culturally grounded mobile augmented reality (MAR) system where carvings on the marae can see, recognise, and respond to users through tikanga-led interaction. Using on-device face detection with portable machine learning models, each carving retains relational awareness of individual users—including those sharing whānau devices—supporting personalised engagement without requiring internet connectivity. Users are guided through a whakapapa-based network of pouwhenua, where permission and sequence matter: deeper storytelling is unlocked only through culturally correct pathways.

This project focussed on expanding the conceptual lens of ADHD, focusing on traditional Māori narratives such as pūrākau and whakataukī to understand the Māori experience of ADHD and create an accommodating framework.