Projects

Kiri West (Ngāti Marutūahu), The University of Auckland

The New Zealand government has indicated a willingness to consider the application of Māori data sovereignty (MDS) in the storage, management and governance of data-sets held by them. To what extent is there alignment between the principles of Māori data sovereignty (as communicated by Te Mana Raraunga) and the government’s current data infrastructure? What are the barriers to the successful implementation of MDS, both from a state perspective, as well as from the perspective of Māori?

Essie Van Zuylen (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu), University of Otago

Jovan, Mokaraka-Harris (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Wai), Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Wai

Awhina Ruby Pitiroi (Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngai Tai, gati Raukawa, Waikato-Maniapoto, Tuhoe), Victoria University of Wellington

My background is in Kura Kaupapa Māori education. I have led various water enhancement projects around Lake Taupō and adjoining waterways over 20 years of teaching within a localised, kaupapa Māori water education framework. An awareness of various ritualistic engagements and the spiritual dimension of water has developed through these projects alongside Ngāti Tūwharetoa kaumātua.

While water is central to survival, rituals have an important role to play in binding societies and strengthening connections to the environment. The primary research question is therefore: What are the customary water rituals of Ngāti Tūwharetoa?

This research explored how Kāi Tahu can strengthen control over kai systems, sources, and practices. By weaving together insights on Māori food and nutrition data sovereignty, it offers a foundation for future whānau- and hapori-led kai ora initiatives.

Rewa Paewai (Ngāti Rangitāne o Tamaki nui-a-Rua; Ngāti Pikiao), The University of Auckland

This doctoral study is primarily philosophical, using theory and Māori ontological concepts to engage with culturally significant ideas in Te Oriori mō Whakaewa-i-te-rangi. This oriori was considered by Sir Apirana Ngata to be one of the oldest surviving compositions in Māoridom.  As such, the oriori provides a rich and authentic source of information and knowledge for the study of oontology as it relates to the Ngāti Pakapaka hapū of Rangitāne o Tamaki nui-a- Rua.

The key research questions that drive this study and reflect its methodology are:

What are some of the key ideas expressed in Te Oriori mō Whakaewa-i-te-rangi that can illuminate ontological assumptions of Te Ao Maori?

How do these key ontological ideas underpin and explain aspects of tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori?

The aim of this doctoral study is to add to the current research about Māori ontologies in order to develop a deeper understanding of mātauranga Māori and contribute to discussions about the centrality of te ao Māori including mātauranga in Aotearoa today.