Dr. Tania Cliffe-Tautari

Tania Cliffe-Tautari (Te Arawa, Ngāi Tahu) is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education and Social Practice within the Faculty of Arts and Education. Her research interests are driven by a deep commitment to advancing equitable educational and social outcomes for Māori, with a particular focus on Māori youth who are marginalised within education and society, including Māori youth who find themselves in the youth justice system. Tania’s expertise traverses multiple research areas including Māori youth justice and Māori education.Her recent and ongoing work examines the intersecting domains of education, social services, and youth justice for Māori youth who experience trauma. Her research interests further reflect a widening scope of inquiry into the systemic conditions that shape Māori youth pathways and wellbeing. With more than two decades of professional experience in education, Tania brings extensive expertise across Māori‑medium education (including total immersion, bilingual, and mainstream secondary schooling), special education, and educational provision within secure residential environments, including youth justice and care and protection settings.