Pae Tawhiti

Project supervisor: Heni Unwin, Māori Researcher for Marine Technologies, Cawthron Institute

Raumati intern: Toiroa Whaanga-Davies (Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Ngāti Kahungungu, Ngāti Rehua, Ngāti Wai)

Project supervisor: Dr Kiri Edge & Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora

Institution: Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga

This research programme will examine how we might envision an approach to placemaking that would result in outcomes that facilitate the expression of mātauranga Māori, tikanga, whānaungatanga and orangatanga in urban areas. The programme will do this by examining concrete innovations through a series of case studies. These examples will demonstrate the optimism that transformative urban activity brings in terms of the potential to redress the struggles of the past (Awatere et al. 2008; Harmsworth 2004).

Our tūpuna were experts in reading tohu o te taiao to live more attuned with the environment and gather kai at the optimal times. Their understanding of their own local taiao is recorded and woven throughout kōrero tuku iho. The maramataka is an example of kōrero tuku iho which provides a uniquely Māori way to record, organise and understand ngā tohu o te taiao.

PhD Candidate: Kahurangi Rora Waititi (Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Ngai Tahu)

Primary Supervisor(s): Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith

This research looks at how mahinga toi as process, theory and output contribute to whānau, hapū and iwi oranga and mana motuhake. This is explored through my iwi of Te Whanau a Apanui who have a strong history of tribal storytellers, that have led to our contemporary kaitoi and kaitito. One of the primary questions was how does mahinga toi contribute to oranga of whānau, hapū and iwi?

PhD Candidate: Ms Emily Bain (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Toarangatira)

Primary Supervisor(s): Dr. Esther Willing

It is well established that there are significant problems in Aotearoa New Zealand’s health and disability system, especially for Māori – largely due to the cultural differences between Māori and the biomedical system the New Zealand health system was modelled on.