About this research
Tangi is the ultimate form of Māori cultural and community expression. Addressing the dearth of scholarly information, this study considers tangi practice, whakapapa, changing environments, community values, sharing knowledge, ritual and what it means to be Māori.
The research team has been examining the life-values, beliefs and practices related to contemporary Māori experience of death, primarily through wānanga held two-three times a year. These wānanga involve a wide range of participants from different iwi affiliations, as well as a Pacific Island representative.
The team have also engaged with the “death sector” in their research. Associate Professor Linda Nikora says that the challenge of the topic means there have been difficult moments of discussion but as a process it has worked.
This project is one of three in a Tangi Research programme led by the Principal Investigators. The Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga study, Aituā: Death in a changing Māori World, was the first and from this foundational support other grants from the Health Research Council and the Royal Society of New Zealand followed.
While the NPM study has drawn to a close, the research does not end here and will continue for the rest of the researchers’ lives, they say.
Outputs
Conference presentations
Awekotuku, N. T., & Nikora, L. W. (2012, June). Moengaroa: Death, lifestyle & sexuality in the Māori world. International Indigenous Development Research Conference 2012. Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Auckland, New Zealand.
Bhana, V. M. H., Crapp, N., Poutu, H., Nikora, L. W., & Awekotuku, N. T. (2012, June). Death rituals: Running a tangi. How much and who pays? International Indigenous Development Research Conference 2012. Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Auckland, New Zealand.
Nikora, L. W., & Masters, B. (2012, June). He aitua! Making final arrangements. International Indigenous Development Research Conference 2012. Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Auckland, New Zealand.
Nikora, L. W., Temara, P., Awekotuku, N. T., & Seuili, B. (2012, June). Indigenous people talk about the changing nature of death rituals. Panel presentation at the International Indigenous Development Research Conference 2012. Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Auckland, New Zealand.
Peer reviewed journal papers
Malcolm-Buchanan, V., Awekotuku, N. T. & Nikora, L.W. (2012). Cloaked in Life and Death: Korowai, kaitiaki and
tangihanga. MAI Journal 1(1): 50-60.
Kairangahau · Researchers
Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora FRSNZ, HFNZPS
Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Tūhoe, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Ngati Pahauwera
Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland
Researcher and academic, Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora was formerly the Director of the Māori & Psychology Research…
Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora FRSNZ, HFNZPS
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Kairangahau · Researchers
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Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora FRSNZ, HFNZPS
Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora FRSNZ, HFNZPS
Researcher and academic, Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora was formerly the Director of the Māori & Psychology Research Unit in the School of Psychology at the University of Waikato in New Zealand. In 2017, she became a Professor Indigenous Studies at the University of Auckland where she was also Co-Director of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence (2017-2025). She presently teaches in the Master's of Indigenous Studies programme and supervises dissertations, master's theses and PhDs.Her specialty interests are in the development of indigenous psychologies… -
Emeritus Professor Ngahuia Te Awekotuku MNZM FAWMM
Emeritus Professor Ngahuia Te Awekotuku MNZM FAWMM
Emeritus Professor Ngahuia te Awekotuku continues to contribute in the arts and creative sector. With degrees in Art History and English, her PhD (1981) was in cultural psychology. She wrote an early (1991) monograph on Māori research ethics. For decades she served in the heritage environment as a governor, curator and activist/advocate. Her scholarly works on culture, gender, heritage and sexuality, and her fiction and poetry, have been published and acclaimed locally and internationally.Ngahuia is a pioneering Māori writer, academic, curator and activist whose work has shaped the cultural… -
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- Nikora et al. (2022). The Value of Kapa Haka – An Overview Report. Auckland, NZ : Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga
- Hall, M., & Bowden, L. (2021). Māori Performing Arts and Educational Outcomes Report.
- Meade, R. (2021). Exploring the Cultural Value of Kapa Haka – the Māori Performing Arts
- Mikaere, T.M. (2021). Ngā hua nui o te kapa haka.
- Nikora et al. (2021). Exploring the value and meaning of Kapa Haka - Māori Performing Arts : The Hine Rēhia Survey. Auckland, NZ
- Selby-Rickit, T.H.R. (2021). Ngā hua nui o te kapa haka.
- Te Huia, A., & Fox, R. (2020). Manawa ū ki te reo Māori : Matatini and non-Matatini survey responses
Kairangahau · Researchers
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Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora FRSNZ, HFNZPS
Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora FRSNZ, HFNZPS
Researcher and academic, Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora was formerly the Director of the Māori & Psychology Research Unit in the School of Psychology at the University of Waikato in New Zealand. In 2017, she became a Professor Indigenous Studies at the University of Auckland where she was also Co-Director of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence (2017-2025). She presently teaches in the Master's of Indigenous Studies programme and supervises dissertations, master's theses and PhDs.Her specialty interests are in the development of indigenous psychologies…
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This Ageing Well NSC research project explored the unique role of kaumātua within Ngāti Whakaue, challenging government definitions that homogenise Māori elders. It highlights how kaumātua serve whānau, marae, hapū, and iwi—and what’s needed to support and sustain their leadership into the future.
Kairangahau · Researchers
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Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora FRSNZ, HFNZPS
Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora FRSNZ, HFNZPS
Researcher and academic, Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora was formerly the Director of the Māori & Psychology Research Unit in the School of Psychology at the University of Waikato in New Zealand. In 2017, she became a Professor Indigenous Studies at the University of Auckland where she was also Co-Director of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence (2017-2025). She presently teaches in the Master's of Indigenous Studies programme and supervises dissertations, master's theses and PhDs.Her specialty interests are in the development of indigenous psychologies… -
Emeritus Professor Ngahuia Te Awekotuku MNZM FAWMM
Emeritus Professor Ngahuia Te Awekotuku MNZM FAWMM
Emeritus Professor Ngahuia te Awekotuku continues to contribute in the arts and creative sector. With degrees in Art History and English, her PhD (1981) was in cultural psychology. She wrote an early (1991) monograph on Māori research ethics. For decades she served in the heritage environment as a governor, curator and activist/advocate. Her scholarly works on culture, gender, heritage and sexuality, and her fiction and poetry, have been published and acclaimed locally and internationally.Ngahuia is a pioneering Māori writer, academic, curator and activist whose work has shaped the cultural… -
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Kiri Edge
Kiri Edge has contributed to a wide range of interdisciplinary research and evaluation projects across both academic and community contexts. Kiri is experienced working within complex and sensitive topics, and engaging with people, whānau, and communities that some consider ‘hard to reach’. Kiri’s research interests are diverse, but pivot towards endeavours that contribute towards Māori wellbeing and flourishing, equity, social justice and sustainable community-driven development. Kiri’s current rangahau interests include reclamation of indigenous pathways to wellbeing, grieving within and…