Pātai Te Ao Māori

Savannah’s research aims to compile mātauranga of whare tikanga (Māori building practises) to understand the processes and practices involved in customary whare Māori (Māori buildings) construction.

Simon’s research is concerned with the imposition of Western thought on Māori which has displaced our ways of knowing and being. Colonisation is most visible in the political and biophysical spheres, however, less apparent is the damage to the less tangible – a Māori metaphysics – which underpins relation to the world, and importantly, our ways of existing.

Ahinata’s project engages with the experiences of wāhine and gender diverse Kāi Tahu, informed by iwi and gender specific contexts, in order to answer the question: How do we as wāhine and gender diverse Kāi Tahu learn about, become, and take care of ourselves, specifically in the areas of gender, sex, sexuality and body?

Project SummaryCurrently, the New Zealand Education system is failing Māori in almost every measure of educational progression. A significant part of the problem is the lack of cultural competence of the non-Māori majority teacher workforce. Given the projections of increasing Māori and Pacifica student populations, there is a compelling need to address the…

This research draws on mōteatea, whakataukī, and insights from Māori experts to illuminate the ethical foundations of Kaupapa Māori methodologies. By mapping these principles against Western theories, it guides culturally safe approaches for intergenerational trauma and Indigenous health research.

This internship explored the wellbeing benefits of daily karakia and waiata at the University of Canterbury, highlighting their role in fostering cultural connection and belonging. Using a braided rivers methodology, the project captured staff and student experiences of these powerful tikanga Māori practices.

This project investigated the linguistic features of te reo Māori in formal debates (tautohetohe) broadcast in the 1990s, supporting the development of Papa Reo—an Indigenous-led multilingual language research platform.

This internship supported the Whakarauora Project by researching traditional Whanganui pātaka practices to help revive customary fishing and storage methods. Working with Te Morehu Whenua, the project contributes to cultural education and the restoration of taonga species management.

This project explored whānau-submitted narratives to understand the potential of whānau research in reclaiming knowledge, supporting healing, and navigating barriers. The intern analysed submissions and reflected on how whakapapa-based methodologies foster intergenerational connection, resilience, and insight.

This internship explored the wellbeing benefits of daily karakia and waiata at the University of Canterbury, highlighting their role in fostering cultural connection and belonging. Using a braided rivers methodology, the project captured staff and student experiences of these powerful tikanga Māori practices.

This project trialled a bush-ready acoustic sound lure, co-developed with Auroa School students, to help draw out remaining possums from hard-to-reach areas of the Kaitake ranges. Supporting Taranaki Mounga Project and DOC’s pest eradication goals, this innovative tech aims to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and protect precious biodiversity.

This internship created a 3D-printed Tekoteko trophy using a biodegradable harakeke filament to honor the memory of Dr Paora Mato. The project blends traditional Māori carving with contemporary art, sparking conversations about tikanga and cultural practice.