As reliable as a Waikato mist on a winter’s morning, you can always count on Dr Atakohu Middleton (Waikato, Pākehā) to unearth new stories for her readers. With a journalism career spanning three decades, Atakohu’s byline is well known to many.
She is also a MAI Te Kupenga alumni and an NPM researcher working on the NPM Te Tahatū-o-te-rangi research project. This month, however, the award-winning journalist is stepping into new territory - launching a book of fiction, written especially for speakers of te reo, from intermediate level to fluent.
Her book, Waka Aroha: He kohinga pakipoto, is a collection of 15 short stories written entirely in te reo and aimed squarely at adults who have been yearning for fiction of their own. “As I travelled further along my own reo journey, I realised there was nothing out there for people like me. We were hiakai ki te reo rangatira, but there was simply no adult fiction for us to read.”
She believes that translated stories often create obstacles for te reo learners. While there is plenty of children’s fiction in te reo, Atakohu says “there comes a time when you want to read about the adult world.” So, she started writing fiction.
While fluent te reo speakers will enjoy the book, she wants those who are still developing their skills to relish the stories also. “The language in Waka Aroha has been kept simple to reduce the cognitive load, leaving people to soak up the stories while immersing themselves in te reo. The idea was to produce stories that they would enjoy, but that they wouldn’t have to stop too often to look up the meaning of words, so they could build their confidence and consolidate their knowledge,” she says.
Since she was a child, reading and writing has always been natural for Atakohu, “it’s just my wāhi taurikura, my happy place,” she says. Learning te reo as an adult, however, has been a totally different story, and she has plenty of sympathy for those who struggle.
“I wrote the book for people like me. I’m not a quick learner, and I need to repeat the patterns endlessly to get them to stick. I want people to read the stories and go ‘oh my God, I got that! I can do this’. For so many of us, learning te reo as an adult is weighted with so much frustration and angst and this book is to help people on their journey.”
Atakohu has crafted her stories in Waka Aroha to connect with a wide range of readers, and the stories span different genres, time periods and themes so there’s something for everyone. She is continuing the path into fiction and is already deep into her next creative chapter - 20,000 words into a crime novel featuring a female detective, Raukura, as the central character.
Atakohu is grateful that Waka Aroha attracted support from both Toi Aotearoa (Creative New Zealand) and reo revitalisation agency Te Mātāwai so she was able to cut back her paid work to focus on the book and also pay for the services of her reo and fiction mentor, Dr Darryn Joseph. She has a small amount of development funding for Raukura, which pays for Darryn’s services, and is seeking funding so she can once again cut back contract work to focus on the novel. In the meantime, she keeps working on it when she can. “It’s hard to work on a novel amidst the everyday grind of full-time work. You are just too knackered,” she says.
Like the Waikato mists, Atakohu’s story telling will endure. “Stories are important. It’s the way humans have made sense of their lives for thousands and thousands of years. We tell stories to remember, to teach, to store knowledge about the world. Story telling is what makes us human. All cultures do it, all languages do it.”
NPM is proud to co-host this month’s launch of Waka Aroha: He kohinga pakipoto alongside Auckland University Press.
https://aucklanduniversitypress.co.nz/waka-aroha/
RANGAHAU | RESEARCH
Hapū-based Research Has An Enduring Legacy
As reliable as a Waikato mist on a winter’s morning, you can always count on Dr Atakohu Middleton (Waikato, Pākehā) to unearth new stories for her readers. With a journalism career spanning three decades, Atakohu’s byline is well known to many.
She is also a MAI Te Kupenga alumni and an NPM researcher working on the NPM Te Tahatū-o-te-rangi research project. This month, however, the award-winning journalist is stepping into new territory - launching a book of fiction, written especially for speakers of te reo, from intermediate level to fluent.
Her book, Waka Aroha: He kohinga pakipoto, is a collection of 15 short stories written entirely in te reo and aimed squarely at adults who have been yearning for fiction of their own. “As I travelled further along my own reo journey, I realised there was nothing out there for people like me. We were hiakai ki te reo rangatira, but there was simply no adult fiction for us to read.”
She believes that translated stories often create obstacles for te reo learners. While there is plenty of children’s fiction in te reo, Atakohu says “there comes a time when you want to read about the adult world.” So, she started writing fiction.
While fluent te reo speakers will enjoy the book, she wants those who are still developing their skills to relish the stories also. “The language in Waka Aroha has been kept simple to reduce the cognitive load, leaving people to soak up the stories while immersing themselves in te reo. The idea was to produce stories that they would enjoy, but that they wouldn’t have to stop too often to look up the meaning of words, so they could build their confidence and consolidate their knowledge,” she says.
Since she was a child, reading and writing has always been natural for Atakohu, “it’s just my wāhi taurikura, my happy place,” she says. Learning te reo as an adult, however, has been a totally different story, and she has plenty of sympathy for those who struggle.
“I wrote the book for people like me. I’m not a quick learner, and I need to repeat the patterns endlessly to get them to stick. I want people to read the stories and go ‘oh my God, I got that! I can do this’. For so many of us, learning te reo as an adult is weighted with so much frustration and angst and this book is to help people on their journey.”
Atakohu has crafted her stories in Waka Aroha to connect with a wide range of readers, and the stories span different genres, time periods and themes so there’s something for everyone. She is continuing the path into fiction and is already deep into her next creative chapter - 20,000 words into a crime novel featuring a female detective, Raukura, as the central character.
Atakohu is grateful that Waka Aroha attracted support from both Toi Aotearoa (Creative New Zealand) and reo revitalisation agency Te Mātāwai so she was able to cut back her paid work to focus on the book and also pay for the services of her reo and fiction mentor, Dr Darryn Joseph. She has a small amount of development funding for Raukura, which pays for Darryn’s services, and is seeking funding so she can once again cut back contract work to focus on the novel. In the meantime, she keeps working on it when she can. “It’s hard to work on a novel amidst the everyday grind of full-time work. You are just too knackered,” she says.
Like the Waikato mists, Atakohu’s story telling will endure. “Stories are important. It’s the way humans have made sense of their lives for thousands and thousands of years. We tell stories to remember, to teach, to store knowledge about the world. Story telling is what makes us human. All cultures do it, all languages do it.”
NPM is proud to co-host this month’s launch of Waka Aroha: He kohinga pakipoto alongside Auckland University Press.
The broader impacts of hapū-based research are not always immediate, often emerging long after final research reports have been filed. A powerful example of research with an enduring legacy is a 2018 study led by Professor Maria Bargh, whose influence is still felt today.
Maria undertook the NPM supported research in collaboration with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara in the Rotorua region. The main goal was to identify the impact of pests on Te Horohoroinga-o-ngā-ringa-o-Kahumatamomoe, the maunga of Ngāti Kearoa/Ngāti Tuara.
Gathering baseline data was an essential task of the project team which comprised Maria, Melanie Mark-Shadbolt and Kataraina George (all who whakapapa to Ngāti Kea/Ngāti Tuara). They were joined by Tame Malcolm (Te Arawa) and summer intern, Ellie Tapsell (Te Arawa).
The NPM grant helped fund the cost of data gathering which, in turn, helped generate solutions. “What we found was that our maunga was unwell. There was a heavy prevalence of pests including possums, rats, as well as stoats and ferrets, wild pigs and deer, and while the maunga looked lovely from a distance, it was struggling,” says Maria.
Good information was essential and the research team provided fact sheets about the manu and ngahere on the maunga, and gave presentations to the hapū and local neighbours.
Based on the data gathered, the Rūnanga responded with a variety of solutions including supporting an initial 1080 drop, years of trapping and monitoring. Maria says the maunga was re-energised by the project and the impact reverberated long after its completion.
One of the unexpected outcomes of the research was renewed attention on governance of the hapū Māori Reservations, a new focus for Maria who is now co-chair of the Reservation Trust for Horohoro Maunga. “With the predator free project, it became clearer that the governance of our hapū Māori reservations needed attention - to be ‘tidied up’ with membership needing to be updated, systematic records kept and AGMs held,” she says. The refreshment of reservation governance was positive, leading to a renewed vigour and commitment to the environment, marae and wāhi tapu.
The project was also empowering for the original research team, sparking an even bigger appetite for research and environmental leadership.
Today, Kataraina George is managing a native plant nursery for the hapū lands Trust Paiaka and has extended her pest control expertise to neighbouring blocks, including Department of Conservation land.
Tame Malcolm is now undertaking a PhD focused on mātauranga-based methods of pest control with a focus on possums (supervised by Maria) and is also Chief Executive of Te Arawa Lakes Trust.
After the project finished, summer intern, Ellie Tapsell went on to lead other whānau based environmental projects, and completed a Master of Arts in Māori Studies on ‘Transitioning Environmental Governance In Aotearoa: Tikanga Māori And A Political Ethic Of Care‘ under Maria’s supervision.
Melanie Mark-Shadbolt has remained a cornerstone of the team, providing leadership and advice when needed. Today she continues to inspire through her leadership of Vision Mātauranga for the Resilience to Natural Hazards Platform, and as Director of Te Tira Whakamātaki.
“The project really has a massive legacy both for the hapū, our maunga, and supporting researchers to engage further the research space. Like many research projects that involve hapū it has provided a little spark that lit a fire with real impact and purpose,” says Maria.
Momentum is rapidly building around global Indigenous research collaborations, with NPM researchers driving key efforts to unite knowledge systems across the Pacific and beyond. A recent milestone in this movement saw Indigenous researchers gather in the Philippines alongside members of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities–Indigenous Knowledge (APRU-IK) Network to advance shared research priorities.
Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora is always energised by such hui and this year she attended along with an Auckland University contingent including NPM board member Professor Te Kawehau Hoskins and NPM co-director, Professor Melinda Webber. The gathering was held in June on Boracay Island, and members left with plenty of mahi to do. “As a network, we are still in our formative years, so it’s about prioritising what’s possible and getting on with it,” says Waimarie.
Collaboration is one of the network’s key priorities and this can take many different forms. She says while conferences are often sold as a pathway to collaboration, they can often be lonely experiences, especially for Indigenous researchers at very large conferences. It’s important, therefore, that Indigenous researchers carve out time to really get to know each other, for authentic collaboration and problem solving to occur, says Waimarie.
A good example of this occurred during the recent APRU-IK hui when a senior researcher from Asia informed Waimarie she was experiencing big problems finding examiners for her Indigenous PhD students. Wanting to hear from others, Waimarie brought together a talking circle of senior Indigenous academics from India, Malaya, China, Mexico and Aotearoa for a series of on-line hui to kōrero specifically about their own issues and to find solutions. “It was an opportunity for people to step into the international collaborative domain, and it was an awesome process. This is the kind of practical process and outcome that being part of a wider Indigenous network can address for the benefit of all,” she says.
Of the 66 member universities, Auckland is the only New Zealand University that is an active member of APRU. One of the network’s biggest issues is getting visibility within their own institutions. So, with others at the Boracay hui, the group video-taped a statement about the important voice and visibility of Indigenous researchers within the APRU network. “The presidents meet every year, so we wanted to give them a wake-up call about the importance of Indigenous staff, Indigenous teaching and research inside their organisations. The University of Auckland is probably a long way down the line in achieving this compared to other universities who have never considered the needs of Indigenous peoples within their institutions. But we are trying to achieve real impact through this network, and it is important that presidents hear from us,” says Waimarie.
One strategy the network is committed to is establishing an international mentoring programme for both Indigenous academic and professional staff. “The benefit of this is about mentoring to be part of a global Indigenous community. It will offer Indigenous people the experience of seeing how different universities within the Pacific Rim operate. The hope is that people might learn a few tips and tricks, take them back to their own institution to benefit them,” says Waimarie.
NPM Operations Manager Marie-Chanel Berghan also attended the Boracay gathering, and she says these hui are invaluable for both researchers and the professional staff who support research behind the scenes. “Strong relationships are at the heart of successful Indigenous research collaborations. Exchange opportunities like this help because you are extending your knowledge, capability and capacity, but the greatest value comes from the relationships we make and sustaining those connections. Those relationships open doors to Indigenous researchers and communities across the Pacific Rim and create opportunities that would not otherwise exist.
She says NPM’s strength lies in these networks, enabling us to draw on international expertise, support our advisory boards and publications, and help us deliver initiatives such as the Biennial International Indigenous Research Conference. “Investing in these relationships strengthens our ability to support Indigenous research excellence both nationally and internationally,” says Marie-Chanel.
Waimarie encourages anyone who is interested in the work of APRU-IK to subscribe to its newsletter and sign up to anything they are curious about. The on-line seminar series is also an excellent way to become more knowledgeable about Indigenous research and perspectives within the Pacific Rim, and this is a simple way to get involved, she says.
“Being part of a global community is important for us in Aotearoa. It allows us to better understand the world and to delight in knowing about it, because it is so very different to our experience compared to most other countries and cultures. Yes, we have something to contribute, but we should be humbled by the efforts that are occurring internationally because they are facing some dire, dire circumstances.”
From left to right, birth educator Kelly-Anne Spriggs and researcher Dr Nikki Barrett.
This December, international symposium Te Wheiao 2026 takes center stage to spotlight the power and wisdom of traditional Māori birthing practices.
Hosted by researcher Dr Nikki Barrett (Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Porou) and birth educator Kelly-Anne Spriggs (Ngāpuhi), the hands-on symposium will bring Indigenous birth workers and researchers from around the globe to Aotearoa.
A key aim of the wānanga is to support Indigenous midwives and birth educators from overseas to advance their own Indigenous practices, in part by showcasing how Māori birthing practices are being integrated into antenatal classes here.
“We are lucky in Aotearoa that our Indigenous practices are now becoming more visible, however I know there are many birth workers working with Indigenous women outside Aotearoa who are alone and are in isolation from each other. I want them to know they have support and to say to them ‘it is ok to put culture first’.
Nikki says they are hoping to build a network of Indigenous birth workers who will support each other’s mahi into the future. “It’s been a dream of ours for a long time, and it’s exciting to bring birth workers from all over the world together,” she says.
Nikki and Kelly-Ann met while working at Waikato DHB in the Māori Health Service. Drawing on the legacy of Hapū Wānanga that had been nurtured by many before them, Kelly-Ann further developed the local programme by bringing her own unique flavour and leadership, creating a kaupapa Māori pregnancy and parenting experience that incorporated tikanga, whakatau, karakia and waiata.
Nikki’s PhD explored the experiences of hapū māmā and their whānau who participated in Hapū Wānanga and similar programmes across the region. Her research identified the qualities that contributed to positive participant experiences. “I have a real passion for highlighting the positive aspects of what is working in the space of maternal care, and this wānanga will give solid examples of what works, particularly with Māori women and whānau whose participation rates in Western antenatal programmes has not been high.” Nikki’s PhD showed the inclusion of Indigenous practices in antenatal education was beneficial for hapū māmā and their whānau.
From a research perspective, Nikki says Te Wheiao 2026 Wānanga aims to drive further research in this field. “I’m interested in how researchers can better support birth workers, who are often too busy working at the coal face to undertake research.” She believes researchers have an obligation to support people working on the ground by undertaking academic scholarship and strengthening collective knowledge.
The four-day wānanga will feature keynote presentations, hands-on workshops demonstrating traditional Māori birthing practices, collaborative sessions to identify research priorities, and the drafting of new research proposals.
“We aim to build lasting relationships within the international community of Indigenous birthing practitioners. It’s important to nurture our pregnant women, babies and fathers. It’s not just māmā who are invited to come along. Tane are important to birthing and child rearing and they are encouraged to join us,” she says.
Numbers are limited on a first-come basis.
Te Wheiao 2026 – International Indigenous Birthing Wānanga
When: 1-4 December 2026
Where: Novotel, Tainui, Hamilton, New Zealand
From the flashing lights and clatter of a gaming arcade to the formality of a university lecture theatre, Dr Paul Brown’s journey into academia - like many Māori academics - hasn’t always followed the straightest line.
A statistician and lecturer at the University of Waikato, Paul (Ngāti Hikairo) says that when he first left Linwood College back in 2002 a career in academia, let alone mathematics, was unthinkable. He opted instead for managing a gaming arcade in his home city of Christchurch.
Six years later, Paul decided new beginnings were in order and he enrolled in a science degree at the University of Waikato. One maths paper was the catalyst he needed to put him on a life changing career trajectory.
Paul found his niche developing efficient algorithms for high-quality data analysis. He enjoyed the solitary nature of the work, solving problems with just a whiteboard and his wits. But his reputation as a statistician spread and other researchers came calling with requests to collaborate.
“It took me a while to get used to working with other people and getting my head around all the different fields and specialties, but I’ve come to realise this is how impactful research is done. Through these collaborations with applied data analysis, you can do powerful research and I like this aspect of my mahi,” he says.
The power of data and statistical modelling cannot be underestimated, says Paul. One example of this is a study of Police prosecution rates led by Professor Khylee Quince and Tā Kim Workman. The study involved working with the NZ Police to better understand how demographic factors, behaviours, and spatial and temporal patterns affect prosecution rates. Paul’s modelling found that Māori, on average, were 11% more likely to be prosecuted for the same offences as Pākehā, when all other things were equal. Gang members were also twice as likely as non-gang members to be prosecuted for the same offences when controlling for all other factors in the model (age, ethnicity, prior history) he says.
Such research is why data, statistics and modelling are important. “With this research we showed there was an inherent structural bias within the Police where they are prosecuting some communities far more than others. Now it is up to the Police to do more research to identify what procedures or systems are enabling this bias to occur, so they can work to change them,” says Paul.
In recent years Paul has expanded his expertise to include Indigenous data sovereignty research. One of his current projects involves developing algorithms to understand the global trade of Indigenous data. Paul aims to conceptualise how the cross-border trade of Indigenous data can be valued, including how such data can be identified, labelled, and ultimately valued economically. “There needs to be an awareness of the power of data in Māori communities so people can make informed decisions about what they are giving up when they give their data to big companies, and balance this with the benefits they might receive. Data sovereignty means being able to make these informed decisions,” he says.
Closer to home, Paul is working on a new NPM-funded project on Māori data sovereignty and governance in universities. Paul says while universities have been collecting Māori data for many decades, there is little transparency over what has been collected and where it is stored, in part because of a lack of Māori data governance.
A key problem that Paul is trying to tackle is data discoverability - developing algorithms to locate Māori data inside university data ecosystems. His collaborators Dr Kiri West (Waipapa Taumata Rau) and Dr Maree Sheehan (Te Wānanga o Aotearoa) are focusing on data governance and practical pathways for iwi, hapū and hapori to assert sovereignty over their data.
“Māori communities are being locked out of their own data, and we would like them to be aware of it so they can decide if they want to use it and who has responsibility for it. If they don’t want to do anything, kei te pai, as long as they are aware that it exists, and can make that decision for themselves.”
Data is tremendously valuable, says Paul, and with that comes responsibility. “I try to teach my students that as data analysts, you’ve got to make sure your work has integrity, you’ve got to do things the right way. Anyone that works with data needs to think about their responsibilities to stakeholders, to the people who the data is about, and to their profession to ensure the data is being handled and used appropriately.”
A childhood visit to glow worm caves left researcher Aymee Lewis (Ngāti Kahungungu ki Te Wairoa, Ngāti Rakaipaaka) with an enduring curiosity about creatures that glow in the dark. Today, Aymee’s fascination has not diminished, and the phenomenon of bioluminescence has become a focus of her PhD.
Bioluminescence is produced by naturally occurring chemical reactions in certain bacteria, fungi, insects and marine life. It’s the reason why some caves, waves and shadowy places appear to magically glow in the dark, she says. Despite the mystical appearance, Aymee’s research is hoping to spotlight more practical concerns.
Photobacterium spp. is the specific bacteria that causes glow, and Aymee is looking at whether it can be used in the aqua-culture industry. Specifically, her MAI Te Kupenga supported PhD looks at whether bioluminescence can be used in formulated fish food to improve the feeding of baby snapper.
Aymee says the aqua-culture industry has enlisted the help of scientists to help it diversify beyond farming shellfish and salmon. She says the benefit of raising farmed fish in the ocean is that it could relieve pressure on wild fish populations and help the industry become more sustainable.
Previous research shows young snapper are not thriving in hatcheries as they are unable to detect or respond to non-live food. The purpose of her research is to explore whether glowing bacteria can help attract baby snapper to fish food in hatcheries.
Her research focused specifically on the conditions bioluminescent bacteria need to create a strong glow; to find out if the bacteria can be used in live fish and non-live fish food; and to measure if baby snapper are attracted to food containing bioluminescence.
Her research results have been mixed. The research has generated rich data on bioluminescence — how it works, the conditions needed to produce a glow, and the development of glowing feeds — but current findings suggest baby snapper may not actually be attracted to bioluminescent food. Further analysis is still underway.
“What my research underscores is that nature is far more complex and as scientists, we are still determining what these factors are. So, I’m happy my research is helping move our knowledge base forward and other scientists can now use my results to continue experimenting,” says Aymee.
While economic outcomes are a focus, mātauranga has been foundational to her approach. According to Māori cosmology, Hīnātore is the entity of phosphorescent and bioluminescent light, the faint twinkle or glow seen in glowworms, and sea life. Aymee wanted to combine mātauranga with PhD research and went home to Wairoa to kōrero with whānau, hoping to gain a deeper understanding of Hīnātore.
“My whānau and community were very helpful, and having my kaumatua, Richard Niania, work alongside me, really helped me in this space. His knowledge, combined with disciplinary science, enabled me to have a much deeper and more reverent approach to the bacteria I work with.”
"We can’t live without bacteria. It’s everywhere in our lives, so for me as Māori scientist to have reverence for these organisms instead of just seeing them as a cloudy substance in a dish that I’m going to measure, it brings to life my values. These bacteria are amazing and magical, and I think if we take care of bacteria, they will take care of us. It is important to uphold the kaitiaki between us."
Exhibition:
Aymee is collaborating with Paraone Luiten-Apirana, Dan Hikuroa and Siouxsie Wiles for an art exhibition focusing on Hīnātore. The exhibition combines art and science and aims to awaken people’s curiosity about bioluminescence.
Where: Project Space, ELAM, University of Auckland
When: July 18, 10.30 am
Hui · Events
Fulbright NZ are providing their final information sessions for this year for graduate and scholar awards, registration details below:
Hui · Events
Hui · Events
Join us for a discussion on the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in rangahau Māori. This webinar will explore how AI technologies are complementing, enhancing and presenting challenges to Māori research and researchers. Featuring expert speakers from the Māori tech and research communities, we’ll delve into the ethical considerations, opportunities, and obstacles of integrating AI with traditional and contemporary Māori knowledge and practices. Whether you're a daily user of ChatGPT or a complete technophobe, this session is about sharing new perspectives on the intersection of Māori culture, technology, and research.
Hui · Events
This groundbreaking research project centres whānau as catalysts for resilient, flourishing Indigenous futures. It explores how Māori families navigate work and livelihoods while nurturing a wellbeing-based economy grounded in te ao Māori. Through powerful insights and lived experiences, the study reveals the strength of grassroots, whānau-centred approaches. It shows how reconnecting with traditional values – kaupapa, tikanga, and collective leadership – can drive economic transformation from the inside out. At its heart, this project is a celebration of whānau innovation, self-determination, and the enduring potential of Indigenous knowledge systems to shape economic transformation that is equitable and sustainable.
Hui · Events
This groundbreaking research project centres whānau as catalysts for resilient, flourishing Indigenous futures. It explores how Māori families navigate work and livelihoods while nurturing a wellbeing-based economy grounded in te ao Māori. Through powerful insights and lived experiences, the study reveals the strength of grassroots, whānau-centred approaches. It shows how reconnecting with traditional values – kaupapa, tikanga, and collective leadership – can drive economic transformation from the inside out. At its heart, this project is a celebration of whānau innovation, self-determination, and the enduring potential of Indigenous knowledge systems to shape economic transformation that is equitable and sustainable.
Hui · Events
This groundbreaking research project centres whānau as catalysts for resilient, flourishing Indigenous futures. It explores how Māori families navigate work and livelihoods while nurturing a wellbeing-based economy grounded in te ao Māori. Through powerful insights and lived experiences, the study reveals the strength of grassroots, whānau-centred approaches. It shows how reconnecting with traditional values – kaupapa, tikanga, and collective leadership – can drive economic transformation from the inside out. At its heart, this project is a celebration of whānau innovation, self-determination, and the enduring potential of Indigenous knowledge systems to shape economic transformation that is equitable and sustainable.
Kōrero · News
Play is fundamental to child and whānau wellbeing. This webinar will provide a snapshot of work emerging from the SPIRIT (Supporting Play and Intergenerational Relationships with Indigenous Tradition) programme, a global Indigenous collaboration funded through the LEGO Foundation’s Build a World of Play Challenge.
SPIRIT involves Indigenous educators, researchers, practitioners, advocates, parents, caregivers, and community members from around the globe. We are advancing culturally grounded, self-determined approaches to Indigenous play in ways that honour Indigenous children as our taonga the embodiment of our collective happiness, hope, wonder, and joy.
We highlight some of our Aotearoa-based rangahau that elevates mokopuna world-perspectives and articulates a decolonial, Indigenous-led vision of children’s rights to play.
Kōrero · News
With Kōanga upon us, we can all approach the months ahead with renewed vigour and intent. NPM certainly has plenty of mahi to keep us busy, starting with our upcoming Wānanga Paetukutuku on September 23. Centred on the potential of Indigenous play, it promises valuable insights into how culturally grounded play can support tamariki.
Our team at Kanapu recently launched the incredible RSI&T navigation platform Kanapu Connect and we encourage all of our readers to sign up and start connecting! KC offers a fantastic snapshot of the vast network of RSIT organisations operating across the motu. It’s an essential tool whether you’re new to the sector, exploring new horizons, or just trying to figure out who’s who.
You may have also spotted our recent social media updates highlighting the IIRC26 keynotes. We are thrilled with the line-up of authoritative voices speaking at IIRC26 and know that participants will draw immense inspiration from their kōrero.
Finally, we want to draw attention to a feature in this issue, revisiting research done by Professor Maria Bargh and her team back in 2018. It’s a powerful reminder of the lasting impact that’s created when researchers work in partnership with communities to tackle and solve shared challenges. Such research captures the very heart of the mahi that we all strive to do.
Pou Matarua | Co-Director
Kōrero · News
The Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (NPM) Whakaaweawe Impact & Transformation Grants support Māori researchers employed at NPM partner entities to achieve research outcomes and enable knowledge sharing activities that strengthen connections and promote research uptake, impact, and transformation.
Whakaaweawe supports activities that translate research into meaningful change for whānau, hapū, iwi, Māori organisations, and communities. Projects should demonstrate clear pathways to impact, transformation, and real-world application.
Kōrero · News
In this general issue, MAI Journal Volume 15, Issue 1 presents a wide collection of Indigenous research and scholarship that foregrounds Māori and Pacific perspectives on resilience, wellbeing, and self-determination. This issue features 15 articles, four commentaries, and a book review exploring kaupapa such as Māori economies and kai sovereignty, Indigenous research ethics, health and housing inequities, education, and justice. Contributions span topics from whakapapa-based economic frameworks and māra-centred urban planning, to rangatahi voices, Māori workforce experiences, and Pacific health and financial wellbeing.
Together, these contributions highlight the strength of community-led, relational, and intergenerational approaches to research grounded in mātauranga Māori and Pacific knowledge systems, continuing MAI Journal’s commitment to advancing Indigenous thought and transformative practice in Aotearoa and beyond.
Kōrero · News
The Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Māori (NPM) Futures Programme supports promising Māori students as a means to growing an expert and capable Māori researcher workforce for Aotearoa New Zealand. Some of our earlier interns have pursued doctoral and post-doctoral studies; found academic or professional research roles in organisations like universities, research institutions or consultancies.
The New Horizons internship programme is for Māori students interested in pursuing a career in research. The award will provide assistance to Māori students enrolled at a NPM tertiary education partner entity to gain research experience and enhance their research skills.
Tauira in legal studies may be eligible for the Borrin Legal Summer Internship award, which supports Māori students with a strong interest in law, justice, and social equity to develop advanced research skills under the guidance of an expert Māori legal researcher.
The students will
Kōrero · News
Kōrero Tawhito · Archive
1 November 2024
Open Letter to the President of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, Distinguished Professor
Dame Jane Harding DNZM FRSNZ FRACP
E te Kahurangi, e Jane, tēnā koe,
The Māori signatories to this letter have strong associations to a broad range of tertiary institutions and professional bodies. Our academic and research expertise likewise extend across multiple areas of interest, endeavour and activity. Despite this diversity, we have always been unified in our efforts to support the growth and development of our people, to ensure that our collective aspirations are advanced and that any barriers are removed.
In this regard, we would like to express, in the strongest possible way, the concerns we have with the proposed changes to governance of the Royal Society Te Apārangi (RSTA). As an organisation built on democratic and representative governance processes, the proposed shift towards a top-down, Fellow-driven board model under the auspices of ‘best practice’ is troubling. This proposal not only threatens to dismantle the progress made to support and enhance Māori participation and rangatiratanga over the past decade, but also undermines the principle of partnership and rite-tahi as enshrined in the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Over the last ten years, RSTA has made significant and commendable changes including the creation of the Pou Tiaki Director Māori role to support the use of te ao Māori and tikanga Māori concepts within its structure and processes. These institutional advancements required sustained advocacy from the Māori Academy, and marked a pivotal shift from the monocultural foundations of the Society towards an institution that better reflects the uniqueness and vibrancy of our nation. Enhanced recognition of Māori science aspirations has facilitated a significant increase in Māori Fellows from just nine in 2015 to 40 by 2023, a Tiriti o Waitangi provision in the General Rules, establishment of the Māori Electoral College and two permanent Māori positions on the Council, as well as the introduction of new research medals that recognise Māori achievements in science in collaboration with Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Centre of Research Excellence. These advancements have been widely acknowledged internationally, further emphasising the organisation’s unique commitment to Indigenous science approaches amongst our international peers.
The current proposal therefore raises significant concerns and places at considerable risk the progress made over the past decade. It signals a retreat from the inclusive governance model we have been working towards and lacks any meaningful consideration of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The proposal lacks a well-founded rationale for such a substantial change, raising questions about the sincerity of this process. The consultation process has been rushed and top-down in nature. Moreover, the suggested governance restructure is out of step with the Society’s recently released strategic plan, which provides assurances to honour the spirit and intent of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensure Māori voices are central in decision-making, whilst affirming RTSA’s values of collaboration, diversity, integrity and transparency. The inconsistency between the proposed restructure and the strategic vision raises serious questions about the Society's commitment to its own values and aspirations. These are not minor inconsistencies and further call into question the legitimacy and integrity of the consultation process.
To this end, and while the proposal may appear to allow for Māori participation, it fails to recognise the fundamental right of tangata whenua to tino rangatiratanga - the right to make decisions for ourselves, and to exercise authority over our own people, lands and knowledges. Under Te Tiriti, the governance structure of RSTA must reflect a true partnership between Māori and the Crown. This means explicit inclusion of Māori representatives mandated by the Māori membership at the governance level, where decisions that impact Māori are made by Māori, not for Māori. The current proposal falls well short of this.
The proposed restructure also comes at a time when RSTA has entered a tripartite academy partnership with the Australian Academy of Science and The Royal Society of Canada, with an emphasis on the rights of Indigenous peoples and how the academies may give effect to their responsibilities toward Indigenous engagement and inclusion. In this context, where RSTA is engaging with international Indigenous communities, the proposed governance changes appear disingenuous. It is contradictory for RSTA to promote Indigenous leadership and partnership abroad while simultaneously removing dedicated Māori representation from its own governance body.
We hope to work collaboratively to uphold the principles of partnership and inclusion and continue the progress that has been made towards a truly bicultural and future focused academy. If there is no visible space for Māori decision-making in this reimagined structure, the creation of an independent Māori Academy may be the path forward.
Dame Jane, we urge you to reconsider the current governance proposal, which we view as a significant step backwards, and call for a pause in the current consultation process. There must be genuine engagement with Māori from the outset, in line with Te Tiriti, to ensure that RSTA remains a place where Māori voices are heard and our aspirations are enabled.
We appreciate your careful consideration of the concerns we have raised and look forward to
receiving your reply.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Professor Melinda Webber (Waipapa Taumata Rau), former RSTA Councillor
Professor Tahu Kukutai FRSNZ (Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga), former RSTA Councillor
Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora FRSNZ (Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga), former RSTA Councillor
Professor Te Kani Kingi (Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiārangi), former RSTA Councillor
Professor Reremoana Theodore (Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka), former RSTA Councillor
Distinguished Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith CNZM FRSNZ (Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi), former RSTA Councillor
Emeritus Professor Ngahuia Te Awekōtuku MNZM CRSNZ (Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga)
Distinguished Professor Graham Hingangaroa Smith CNZM FAERA FRSNZ (Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa)
Distinguished Professor Sir Hirini Moko Mead KNZM FRSNZ (Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi)
Distinguished Professor Jacinta Ruru MNZM FRSNZ (Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka)
Professor Tracey McIntosh MNZM (Waipapa Taumata Rau)
Professor Rangi Matamua ONZM FRSNZ (Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa)
Professor Poia Rewi FRSNZ (Te Mātāwai)
Dr Leonie Pihama FRSNZ (Tū Tama Wāhine o Taranaki)
Professor Joanna Kidman FRSNZ (Te Herenga Waka)
Professor Helen Moewaka Barnes FRSNZ (Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa)
Dr Carwyn Jones FRSNZ (Te Wānanga o Raukawa)
Professor Rawinia Higgins FRSNZ (Te Herenga Waka)
Professor Margaret Mutu FRSNZ (Waipapa Taumata Rau)
Professor Michelle Thompson-Fawcett FRSNZ (Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka)
Professor Denise Wilson FRSNZ (Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau)
Dr Sonja Macfarlane FRSNZ (Ngāti Waewae)
Professor Brendan Hokowhitu FRSNZ (University of Queensland)
Dr Mahonri Owen (Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato), Early Career Researcher Forum Co-Chair & Māori Electoral College
Sarah-Kay Coulter, Māori Electoral College
Professor Matthew Roskruge (Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa), Māori Electoral CollegeAssociate
Professor Moana Waitoki (He Paiaka Totara, Māori Psychologists Network), Māori Electoral College
Professor Bridgette Masters-Awatere MRSNZ FNZPsS (Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato), Māori Electoral College
Dr Amohia Boulton (Whakauae Research Services Ltd), Māori Electoral College
Professor Jason Mika (Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato), Māori Electoral College
Dr Nimbus Staniland (Waipapa Taumata Rau), Māori Electoral College
NPM was thrilled to extend a warm welcome to the directorship team from the newly funded ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures. Hosted by the University of Queensland, the Centre is the first ever ARC Indigenous-led Centre of Excellence. The Centre aims to transform and improve the life chances of Indigenous Australians by utilising Indigenous knowledges to better understand and address the complex nature of Indigenous intergenerational inequity.
We look forward to walking alongside our friends and colleagues from Te Whenua Moemoeā in coming years.
From left to right: Professor Brendan Hokowhitu (Director), Distinguished Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson (Deputy Director and Law and Justice theme leader), Professor Brownyn Fredericks (Education and Economics Theme Leader), Linda Waimarie Nikora, Tahu Kukutai, Assc. Professor Crystal McKinnon (Victoria Node Leader and Law and Justice co-theme Leader), Marie-Chanel Berghan.
Kōrero Tawhito · Archive
Te Pūtahitanga - a nationwide collective of Māori scientists and researchers responded to the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment's (MBIE) Te Ara Paerangi - Future Pathways Green Paper - a multi-year programme focused on the future of New Zealand’s research system. The programme seeks to start an open and wide-ranging conversation on a range of issues facing the research system, how these issues might be addressed, and how to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
Te Pūtahitanga came together to shape a collective response to MBIE's Te Ara Paerangi consultation process.
Te Pūtahitanga is a collective of Māori scientists and researchers working in universities, Crown Research Institutes (CRIs), Te Pūkenga, Independent Research Organisations, Wānanga, businesses, and Not For Profits, across communities and within diverse Māori entities. We encompass all career stages, from senior RSI leaders and managers, to early career researchers (ECRs). Many of us have prior experience of collaboration to progress Māori aspirations for RSI and have deep experience of what works for our communities.
Rauika Māngai (National Science Challenges) Response
A response to the issues raised in Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways green paper was also made on behalf of Rauika Māngai, Māori leaders across the 11 National Science Challenges and Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga. Responses were developed through discussions within and across Challenges, and wānanga of kairangahau Māori across the science sector.
The University of Canterbury Mauriora Platform Research Team, in conjunction with Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga is hosting a one-day, online symposium to celebrate the culmination of two and a half years research by the Te Rū Rangahau team
This is an open invitation to attend the Kia Puāwai – Māori Flourishing Symposium being held Thursday, 21 April 2022 from 09:00AM to 03:15PM
To register, follow the link: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/events/active/uc-events/kia-puwai-symposium.html
The programme drew on seminal and recent research on supporting Māori to flourish, particularly centred on sustainable paradigms within different organisations. It examined baseline data and research on the supports, barriers and tensions for Māori to flourish in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our research strategy navigated cross-institutional and cross-disciplinary teams in order to develop significant outputs that created flexibility and changed the lenses adopted for future research to ‘foster the pathway of knowledge to strength, independence and growth for future generations’ (NPM, 2015). The strategy was to grow the skills and capabilities of emerging and mid-career researchers’ in original and high quality investigations and reporting.
SYMPOSIUM PROGRAMME
9.00am Mihi Whakatau (Formal welcome) – Dr Te Hurinui Clarke
9.15am Overview of Research Project: Practices of Sustenance - Collaborative exploration into the contours of wellness: Professor Angus Macfarlane
10.00am Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga: Address by Dr Mohi Rua
10:15am New Zealand Race Relations Commissioner: Meng Foon
10.30am Short Break
10.50am Commentary by Dr Megan Woods (Minister of Housing, Energy and Resources, and Research, Science and Innovation) and Rino Tirikatene (MP for Te Tai Tonga)
11.10am Keynote Address: Professor Melinda Webber
12.00pm Presentation by Emerging Researcher: Marie Gibson
12.20pm Address: Executive Director Māori, Pacific and Equity: (TBC)
12.30pm Break for Lunch
1.00pm Panel Discussion: Associate Professor Sonja Macfarlane, Hirone Waretini (NZ Police), Helen Leahy (Whānau Ora), Panapa Ehau (Rua Bioscience), and a Special Guest Dr Matiu Ratima will be the Panel Provocateur||
1.45pm Website Launch and Book Showcase: Website launch (Nathan Riki)
Kura Tapa Whā (Hayley Welch)
Living the Treaty (Emeritus Professor Ted Glynn)
Mana Whakatipu (Tā Mark Solomon)
Hikairo Schema Series (John Huria)
Ngā Hau e whā (Matiu Ratima and Catherine Montgomery)
3.00pm Closing Statements: Professor Gail Gillon
3.15pm Karakia
Māori Flourishing website: www.maoriflourishing.com
REGISTER HERE: Wānanga Paetukutuku | May 3rd, 1-2pm
In this quarterly webinar series NPM Co-Directors Professors Linda Waimarie Nikora & Tahu Kukutai will be leading a discussion on high quality research and evidence for interventions and policy.
For the first wānanga, Tahu will be taking a long term view over the pae (horizon) with some of NPM’s senior research leaders and discussing what needs to be done to realise the vision of flourishing Māori future.
Date: Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022
Time: 1-2pm
On Wednesday 30th September Professor Rāwinia Higgins from Victoria University of Wellington, presented a professorial lecture on the current state of te reo Māori.
The whakataukī - Ka tangi te pīpīwharauroa, ko te karere a Mahuru - speaks to how the pīpīwharauroa’s call signals that spring has commenced and also conveniently provides an analogy that seems appropriate to the current state of te reo Māori.
It not only invites a consideration of the relationship between the pīpīwharauroa and Mahuru, but also for me, how the notion of ‘tangi’ might be thought to echo in the struggle for Māori language revitalisation.
In Mahuru (September) 1972 the Māori language petition was placed on the steps of Parliament, precipitating events such as Māori language Day that eventually led to Māori language week.
In 2015, Mahuru has also been a reo Māori month in which a number of people have taken up the challenge to speak only te reo Māori. Social media provides us with an ideal platform to observe the journey of these Māori language aficionados as they confront opportunities and challenges in our ‘doggedly monolingual’ environment.
Will these Māori language enthusiasts be like the pīpīwharauroa, forcing themselves into the nests of others in order to survive? What are the best strategies to ensure the survival of the language?
These questions and others will be reflected on as we contemplate te reo Māori and its future direction.
Professor Rāwinia Higgins is Head of School for Te Kawa a Māui in 2014. In July 2014 she became Professor of Māori Studies and Iho Ngārahu Māori (Assistant Vice Chancellor Māori Research). She was joint Principle Investigator of Te Kura Roa, a 3-year, $1.5m Ngā Pae o Te Māramatanga Pae Tawhiti Initiative for Te Reo Māori and currently leads the Whaihua—Community Responsiveness project in collaboration with Te Ataarangi and Te Kōhanga Reo. Her research interests include te reo Māori, Māori language literature, Māori language planning and policy, Tikanga Māori and Moko.
Enquiries
Borrin
ClosedClosed 9 Sep 2024
Pool of funding available: $80,000 (the pool may be awarded to one scholar or split between two)
The Borrin Foundation wishes to contribute to increasing Māori postgraduate scholarship in law.
We invite proposals from Māori law graduates who wish to obtain a postgraduate degree in law overseas or domestically.
Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence will provide support and manaakitanga to the successful candidate including via Te Kupenga o MAI (The Māori and Indigenous scholar network).
The aim of the scholarship is to support a Māori scholar to pursue a post-graduate degree in law at a New Zealand university or at an overseas institution (any jurisdiction) including multi-year degree programmes.
Funding can be used for costs such as course fees, living expenses, and economy class airfares.
Applications open once a year in August. The dates for the current application round are:
Applications open: 12 August 2024
Applications close: 9 September 2024
The grant application process is handled by the Borrin Foundation on their website.
To apply you need to go to the Borrin Foundation website to download and prepare all your paperwork. then submit this information through the online application on the Borrin Foundation website.
Whakaaweawe
ClosedClosed 10 Aug 2026
Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (NPM) is inviting applications for our 2026 Whakaaweawe Impact and Transformation Grants.
The Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (NPM) Whakaaweawe Impact & Transformation Grants support Māori researchers employed at NPM partner entities to achieve research outcomes and enable knowledge sharing activities that strengthen connections and promote research uptake, impact, and transformation.
Whakaaweawe supports activities that translate research into meaningful change for whānau, hapū, iwi, Māori organisations, and communities. Projects should demonstrate clear pathways to impact, transformation, and real-world application.
Successful applicants must be prepared to spend their allocated funding and complete project activities by 30 September 2027.
All supported activities must result in a clearly defined external output and demonstrate how they will contribute to research impact and uptake. Supported activities may include:
Successful applicants in the past have used this grant to support books, journal articles, online resources, app development, haka and waiata, translation of work into te reo Māori, and conference presentations.
NPM Futures
OpenApplications close 20 Jul 2026
Opening and Closing Dates
Monday, June 29, 2026, to Monday, July 20, 2026 - 5:00pm
The Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Māori (NPM) Futures Programme supports promising Māori students as a means to growing an expert and capable Māori researcher workforce for Aotearoa New Zealand. Some of our earlier interns have pursued doctoral and post-doctoral studies; found academic or professional research roles in organisations like universities, research institutions or consultancies.
< CLICK TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FILES & TEMPLATES >
PURPOSE
The New Horizons internship programme is for Māori students interested in pursuing a career in research. The award will provide assistance to Māori students enrolled at a NPM tertiary education partner entity to gain research experience and enhance their research skills.
Tauira in legal studies may be eligible for the Borrin Legal Summer Internship award, which supports Māori students with a strong interest in law, justice, and social equity to develop advanced research skills under the guidance of an expert Māori legal researcher.
The students will
TERM
The internship programme will run over 10 weeks, 30 November 2026 – 15 February 2027 summer period, with a one-week break from 21 to 25 December.
ELIGIBILITY
The award is intended for Māori pre-doctoral students who are genuinely interested in advancing their skills and capacity in Indigenous development and research.
VALUE
$7,500 NZD per award, with 10 internships available for the 2026-2027 summer period. The award will be paid in two equal instalments, with the first payment at the beginning of the internship, and the final instalment at the end.
WHAT INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE?
For a full list of the available projects please download the 26-27 NPMNH Internship Projects file. Full descriptions of the opportunities available, including the supervising researcher, their institution, the project descriptor, objectives and work programme are outlined.
Internships are competitive and for this reason we ask student applicants to indicate their first, second and third choice of internship projects. Once the call for applications closes, we determine the best matches between advertised project and student applications. We then recommend the best match(es) to the supervising researcher for selection and confirmation. Successful interns are expected to begin their internship no later than the week of 30 November 2026.
WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED?
FAQ
Q. I am interested in the Raumati Internships, but I am not enrolled at one of the NPM partner entities, can I still apply?
A. Unfortunately, no. To be eligible to apply you must be enrolled at one of our NPM partner entities.
Q. I will be working part-time over the summer, can I still apply for a Raumati Internship?
A. As long as you will not be working more than 10 hours per week and will be available to fully participate in the internship experience you can apply.
Q.I am only interested in one of the Raumati projects advertised, can I apply for one project, or do I have to select three projects?
A. You can apply for only one project, but we would strongly encourage you to select more than one to increase your chances of being selected.
Q. I am working on my application and see we have to include an academic transcript as part of the application-does this need to be an official transcript record?
A. We will accept a PDF of your previous grades, we do not require an official transcript record.
Q. I am preparing my application and see we need to include a letter of support from an academic staff member. I do not know any academic staff members, could I ask someone else to write a letter of support?
A. Letters of support are a critical part of the application, and we prefer these to be from academic staff members. We will consider other letters of support, but these will need to detail your abilities, experience, work ethic and commitment.
Q. I have submitted my Raumati Internship application, when will I find out if my application was successful?
A. We will endeavour to let all student applicants by the 14th of October 2025. All applications are screened for eligibility, and on a case-by-case basis a student applicant will be recommended to the project supervisor. Once the project supervisor has confirmed their preferred applicant, we let that applicant know as soon as possible. These processes can take some time, and sometimes there are delays beyond our control. We appreciate your patience as we complete the process.
Q. I have applied for a Raumati Internship but haven’t heard anything yet. One of my friends also applied and they have received an internship award letter-does this mean my application was unsuccessful?
A. Not necessarily. We recommend student applicants to project supervisors on a case-by-case basis. We work closely with the project supervisor to make sure the student applicants are the best match possible. Once we have received confirmation from project supervisors, that student is advised as soon as possible. These processes take time, and we appreciate your patience as we work through this process.
Q. If I am awarded an Raumati internship, when will I receive the grant payment?
A. The Raumati internship grant is paid in two instalments. The first instalment will be processed for payment in the first week of the NPM Raumati Internship programme, and the final instalment will be processed for payment in the final week of the programme.
INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS
CONTACT: research@maramatanga.ac.nz
NPM Futures
ClosedClosed 19 Jun 2026
CALL FOR INTERNSHIP PROJECT PROPOSALS FROM SUPERVISING NPM RESEARCHERS
The Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Māori (NPM) Futures Programme supports promising Māori students interested in pursuing a career in research to work under the mentorship of a senior Māori researcher.
The New Horizons Summer Internships award assists Māori students enrolled at a NPM tertiary education partner entity to work under the supervision and guidance of a NPM Māori researcher based at any NPM partner entity, in order to gain research experience and increase their research skills. Interns will participate in the online NPM Māori Futures programme during the tenure of their award to support their research skills development.
The Borrin Legal Summer Internships invite proposals from legal scholars based at our partner entities to host a Māori summer research intern. This internship supports Māori students with a strong interest in law, justice, and social equity to develop advanced research skills under the guidance of an expert Māori legal researcher. Projects must have a strong legal focus, ideally addressing justice, rights, equity, or the role of law in Aotearoa New Zealand; align with the Borrin Foundation’s vision for a just, inclusive, and rights-respecting society. Contribute to NPM’s mission to create the foundations for flourishing Māori futures.
< CLICK TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FILES & TEMPLATES >
SUPERVISOR PROJECT ELIGIBILITY
Any NPM researcher (supervisor) based at a NPM Partner entity can submit a proposal to host and supervise an intern. Projects must demonstrate scholarly excellence, societal relevance, and alignment to the NPM Matakitenga research programme.
INTERN ELIGIBILITY
Māori pre-doctoral students enrolled at a NPM tertiary education partner entity in 2026 who are genuinely interested in advancing their skills in Indigenous development and research.
Students can be enrolled in upper-level undergraduate (Bachelor) or post-graduate (Master) degree programmes.
DURATION
10 internships will be available for the December 2027 - February 2027 summer period.
VALUE
$7,500 NZD per award, paid in two instalments directly to the intern.
CLOSING DATE
Supervisor internship project applications are due Friday 19 June 2026, 5.00pm
APPLY ONLINE
Please use the link at the bottom of this page when it becomes available.
CONTACT
APPLICATION PROCESS
There are three stages to developing and awarding an internship.
1. Call for Internship proposals from NPM researchers
The internship proposal is for a research activity usually associated with a larger project or
programme of research being led by the applying researcher. It is not recommended that a
student conceive and conduct their own research project due to the short period of the internship. The focus of an internship research activity should be aligned with the NPM Matakitenga research framework.
A research activity might include: a literature review, designing a survey, assisting with data collection, analysis of an existing data set, or engaging in a collaborative academic writing exercise. The proposed research activity should be achievable within a ten-week period during the university summer holiday break. The researcher who submits a proposal will provide supervision and support to the intern. Where students will assist with data collection, ethical approval must be received prior to the internship commencing, with a copy submitted to NPM.
2. Internship proposal selection
Following receipt of proposals, suitable internships will be advertised to Māori students on the Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga website and through social media channels from 29 June 2025.
3. Students apply for available internships
Any student enrolled at an NPM tertiary education partner entity may apply for an advertised summer internship. Internships are competitive and for this reason we ask student applicants to indicate their first, second and third choice of internship projects.
Once we receive student applications, we determine the best match between advertised project and student interests. We then recommend the best match of student(s) to the supervising researcher. Once confirmed, the intern is expected to begin their internship any time after the conclusion of the university exam period but no later than the week starting 30 November 2026.
For Māori Doctoral Students
ClosedClosed 10 Nov 2025
2027 PhD Scholarship round opening later this year (date TBC). Application information and guidelines coming soon.
The Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Māori (NPM) Futures Programme supports promising Māori students at the senior undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, aiming to grow a skilled Māori researcher workforce for Aotearoa New Zealand. The programme focuses on developing the next generation of Māori research leaders who can set and pursue impactful research that contributes to building a flourishing future for Māori. Our PhD Scholarship grant is a key strategy in achieving this goal. Many of our past recipients have successfully completed doctoral and post-doctoral studies, joined influential research teams, taken on academic or professional research roles in universities and Crown Research Institutions, or started their own research consultancies. NPM’s programme is a proven and excellent pathway for fostering Māori research talent.
< CLICK TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FILES & TEMPLATES >
PURPOSE
The NPM PhD Scholarship is for Māori students enrolled in a PhD program at any NPM Partner institution. The scholarship provides financial assistance through a non-taxable stipend and ongoing support through the NPM Māori Futures Programme. Recipients will progress their PhD research in alignment with the NPM Matakitenga framework and contribute to NPM's mission to create foundations for flourishing Māori futures. All recipients are expected to participate in NPM professional excellence activities, Te Kupenga o MAI, the biennial International Indigenous Research Conference, and NPM researcher wānanga. Successful applicants will join a high-impact, multi-institutional team of Māori researchers across Aotearoa, all working towards transformative change for a better future.
ELIGIBILITY
All applicants must be a high-achieving Māori PhD student currently enrolled at an NPM partner institution undertaking research that aligns with the NPM Matakitenga research framework (available here). The NPM PhD Doctoral Scholarship cannot be held concurrently with any New Zealand University-named doctoral scholarship. Applicants holding such scholarships are ineligible until their current award concludes. NPM award holders must promptly notify NPM of any additional grants or scholarships, and NPM reserves the right to modify the scholarship's conditions at its discretion.
DURATION
The scholarship is for a duration of two years with the expected Doctoral thesis submission date being on or before 30 September 2028.
VALUE
The scholarship provides a stipend of $36,050 per year, plus $9,785 for professional development support, for a duration of two years. Successful applicants will receive a complimentary registration for the NPM Biennial International Indigenous Research Conference and NPM professional excellence activities. In this round, we aim to support a total of five PhD scholarship awards.
CLOSING DATE
2027 PhD Scholarship round opening later this year (date TBC). Application information and guidelines coming soon.
WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED?
A. Cover Letter (Word doc)*
B. Completed NPM PhD Scholarship Application Form (Word doc)
C1. Doctoral Registration Summary and
C2. Academic Transcript (PDF)
D. Curriculum Vitae (PDF using the cv template provided)
E. Letter of reference from an academic staff member
*Your cover letter should include the following:
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be submitted through the NPM online application portal
(Use the "Apply Online" link below).
CONTACT: research@maramatanga.ac.nz
Research
ClosedClosed 28 Apr 2026
Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (NPM) is Aotearoa’s only Māori Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) that is funded by New Zealand’s Tertiary Education Commission and hosted by The University of Auckland. Our mission is to nurture Māori researchers to undertake excellent, impactful research that accelerates flourishing Māori futures. Our research is focused on bringing positive change and transformation to Māori, the nation, and the global Indigenous community. The NPM Matakitenga research fund supports research projects that contribute to our overall mission and specific outcomes in our Matakitenga Research Framework (view the framework here).
Research applications must align with the priority outcomes in our Matakitenga Research Framework (see Appendix 1 in the application form). This year, priority will be given to Pae Ahurei applications, particularly community-orientated projects. Applications for the other Pae (Tawhiti, Ora and Auaha) will be considered. We invite applications from new and emerging researchers.
The application outcomes will be notified by 30 June 2026. Applicants must be prepared to spend their fully allocated budget by 31 December 2027.
We expect to support projects valued between $10,000-$60,000 NZD, from a total funding pool of $500,000 NZD. Proposals for full projects and to seed or scope research are both eligible.
Tuesday 28 April 5:00pm
Download and complete the application documents below. Applications are to be submitted through the NPM application portal. The online portal will be open on the Tuesday 24 March 2026 and can be accessed here.
The NPM Pou Matarua Co-Directors will facilitate an information webinar on Thursday 9 April 2026, 1:30pm. Please register here.
For application queries please email: research@maramatanga.ac.nz.
Te Arotahi Paper
Benefits of a PhD for Māori and Pacific Graduates
Te Arotahi Paper
Climate Change Risks and Solutions for Māori
Te Arotahi Paper
Towards Māori Wellbeing Economies
Te Arotahi Paper
Highly qualified Māori and Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa: A study of Māori and Pacific Peoples PhD graduates (2002-2023) using administrative data in the Integrated Data Infrastructure
Higher education confers significant private benefits for graduates, such as higher earnings and rates of employment, and also generates wider social benefits for communities and society. Māori and Pacific Peoples (Pacific) are under- represented and underserved within Aotearoa New Zealand (Aotearoa) universities, and experience persistent and entrenched inequities across education, health, justice and other social domains.
Te Arotahi Paper
He huringa āhuarangi, he huringa ao: A changing climate, a changing world
Iwi/hapū (tribe/subtribe) governance institutions are increasingly asserting their rangatiratanga (autonomy) to manage climate change risks and meet the well-being of whānau (family)/hapū/ iwi. However, there is a shortage of specific guidance for whānau/hapū/iwi with respect to climate change adaptation and mitigation. We provide a commentary about risk and uncertainty, knowledge gaps, and options for climate change mitigation and adaptation for whānau/hapū/iwi.
Kua pō te ao! Kua pō te ao!
Kua pō uriuri, te ao taketake!
Kua puta a Aituā i Whiti-nuku ki Whiti-reinga
Tūātia ana, whakawahia rā hei kaitiaki o te mate
Hinenuitepō! Hei āhea mākona ai tō matekai?
E te tawhito e Tamati, e moe!
Kei te ruānuku e Hirini, okioki ai!
E te hīnātore e Whatarangi, takoto!
Our PhD tauira never cease to inspire us. This e-pānui celebrates just two of the remarkable researchers in our whānau — a reminder of the creativity, depth, and purpose that defines scholarship at Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga.
Hine-Kaunuku (Morgana) Watson is breaking new ground in the gaming world, creating action-adventure games that centre wāhine Māori and bring Indigenous storytelling to a global audience.
Meanwhile, Amelia Blundell is weaving together personal history and rigorous research, with a PhD study focused on the kūmara plant which is the taonga at the heart of her whānau life and livelihood.
We were thrilled to partner with the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) to host the first Radical ‘Interdisciplinarities: Indigenous Knowledges’ forum in Banff, Canada this month.
The forum gathered 40 Indigenous ECRs from Aotearoa, Australia, South Africa, Botswana, Norway, Greenland, Taiwan, India, Rapanui, Chile, Belize, Amazonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Canada and the United States to develop interdisciplinary research collaborations around three main kaupapa.
