Mahi Rangahau mai i Te Whare Rangahau o Te Kōtahi: Research undertaken at Te Kotahi Research Institute 

Te Tātua o Kahukura: A National Project Report on Ako Aotearoa

Te Mātārere o Te Reo: A Foresight Report on the Future State of Te Reo Māori in the Waikato-Tainui Rohe to 2038

Te Matataua o Te Reo

Tukua ki te Ao: Progressing the normalisation of te reo Māori in organisations

Ngā Hua a Tāne Rore: The Benefits of Kapa Haka

Taikākā: Teaching strategies to improve academic learning for Māori-medium ITE


Te Tātua o Kahukura: A National Project Report on Ako Aotearoa

‘Te Tātua o Kahukura’ was a two year project that sought to collaboratively develop an evidence based understanding and awareness of the capacity building needs of Māori and Indigenous (MAI) doctoral students.  Early career scholars in this context is inclusive of MAI doctoral students across the NZ tertiary sector. The project explored the processes of academic support and sponsoring to consider viable pathways for senior scholars and researchers to provide advocacy and opportunities for early career MAI scholars. Grounded within a kaupapa Māori research methodology that is informed by tikanga, te reo and mātauranga Māori, this project investigates the experiences of early career MAI doctoral students and the views of senior Māori scholars as a basis for the design of a programme that will enhance support programmes and increase Māori participation and success in higher tertiary education and beyond.

Researchers: Leonie Pihama, Jenny Lee-Morgan, Sarah-Jane Tiakiwai, Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Tammy Tauroa, Desi Lonebear, Rangimarie Mahuika , Joeliee Seed-Pihama


Te Mātārere o Te Reo: A Foresight Report on the Future State of Te Reo Māori in the Waikato-Tainui Rohe to 2038

This foresight report was prepared for Te Mātāwai and focuses on the future state of te reo Māori of whānau in the Waikato-Tainui rohe to 2038. Te Mātārere refers to the continuous flow and perpetual energy of the Waikato river, as a way of thinking about the future of te reo Māori in this rohe.

‘He piko, he taniwha’ is the approach used to understand te mātārere. Instead of merely ‘going with the flow’ of the current, Māori whānau, hapū, iwi, marae and communities are active in charting the course of reo Māori. Furthermore, we remain cognisant of the achievements and territory already traversed. ‘He piko, he taniwha’ is an approach that brings together the legacy of the past and passion of the present, to envisage the future.

This research project was led by Associate Professor Jenny Lee-Morgan, Te Kotahi Research Institute in collaboration with the National Institute of Demographic and Economic Analysis (NIDEA) and Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development.

Framed by Kaupapa Māori, this research uses both quantitative and qualitative approaches. All demographic statistical analysis, projections and scenarios were led by Professor Tahu Kukutai (NIDEA). Qualitative approaches include 32 individual and focus group interviews that inform much of the local knowledge in this report. This report features the perspectives of experts and leaders in their respective fields, whom are grounded in their communities within the Waikato-Tainui rohe.

Research Team: Jenny Bol Jun Lee-Morgan, Maureen Muller, Raukura Roa, Jillian Tipene, Tahu Kukutai, Shefali Pawar, Shirley Simmonds and Tammy Tauroa


Te Matataua o Te Reo

This research project was commissioned by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori. The objectives of the research were to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders (individuals and groups who are actively involved with te reo Māori revitalisation and regeneration); and to identify their particular research/knowledge needs, interests and priorities in relation to te reo Māori regeneration and revitalisation. This information has been  used to inform the development of a National Research Agenda for the Regeneration and Revitalisation of te Reo Māori, which is posted on the Te Taura Whiri website as a resource for Māori language communities and those involved in Māori language revitalisation initiatives and research.

Leonie Pihama Associate, Rangi Matamua, Jillian Tipene, Korohere Ngāpō, Sarah-Jane Tiakiwai, Eruera Prendergast-Tarena, Will Edwards, Jenny Lee, Margie Hohepa, Te Kahautu Maxwell, Herearoha Skipper


Tukua ki te Ao: Progressing the normalisation of te reo Māori in organisations

This cross-sectorial study investigates the use of te reo Māori in three types of organisations (local council, secondary schools and companies) with the aim of contributing new knowledge towards the ‘normalisation’ of Māori language in wider New Zealand society. This one-year kaupapa Māori research project was led by Professor Jenny Lee-Morgan and funded by Te Taura Whiri i te reo Māori. As per the requirements of this research from Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori for Project 1:

Subjective Motivation, this research is guided by the following key research questions:

• What motivates these organisations to use and promote te reo Māori?

• What is the value proposition that te reo Māori has in these organisations?

• How does the organisation implement the integration of te reo Māori in their business?

• What are the approaches to the learning and teaching of linguistic components of language revitalisation that are appropriate to the acquisition of te reo Māori? (Te Taura Whiri RFP, 2017, p. 3).

With the aim of building new knowledge for the ‘normalisation’ of Māori language in wider New Zealand society, this cross-sectorial study features nine English-medium organisations throughout the country. The quality of the new knowledge and innovation rests largely on the new ideas and success of the organisations involved. These organisations are:

• Local Government: Christchurch City Council, Rotorua Lakes Council and Waikato Regional Council

• Schools: Christ’s College, Christchurch; King’s College, Auckland; and Wellington Girls’ College

• Companies: Air New Zealand, Microsoft and Spark NZ

A narrative approach through the crafting of pūrākau enables common themes to emerge across very different sectors to provide a high level analysis of how te reo Māori is progressed across the diversity of organisations in this study.

Researchers: Jenny Lee-Morgan, Maureen Muller, Joeliee Seed-Pihama and Herearoha Skipper


Ngā Hua a Tāne Rore: The Benefits of Kapa Haka

Scoping the research needs and options for developing a better understanding of the contribution that Kapa Haka makes to Aotearoa New Zealand society.

The purpose of this scoping project commissioned by Te Manatū Taonga and Te Matatini is to identify a research approach and develop a programme of research that will enable the two organisations and other interested stakeholders to gain empirical evidence of the contribution that kapa haka makes to Aotearoa New Zealand society, in terms of cultural, social, educational, health and economic outcomes.

It has been identified by the commissioning agents of this research scoping that culture plays an important role in the life of a nation. Confidence in that culture, an appreciation of its unique aspects, and a strong sense of cultural identity contribute positively to employment, economic growth, social cohesion, the acceptance and encouragement of diversity, and creative thinking in a range of fields. Moreover, while growth and development in the cultural sector has intrinsic benefits in itself, there are many more positive social and economic side effects that accrue from that development (Ministry of Culture and Heritage, 2009).

Researchers: Associate Professor Leonie Pihama, Dr Jillian Tipene, Herearoha Skipper

This 90-minute webinar shared the voices and the passion of the composers, choreographers, tutors and performers who bring kapa haka to life every day at home, on the marae, in schools and communities, and on national and international stages. Leonie Pihama, Dr Jillian Tipene and Herearoha Skipper described the rich contribution that kapa haka made to social cohesion, to people’s health, to education and to wealth in Aotearoa/New Zealand. We heard the evidence that supports this. We considered the value of evidence, and discussed the benefits of investing in research, and of documenting and evidencing our own practices, to make it more likely that we and others understand our distinct value. We heard about current efforts to build a research agenda for kapa haka in Aotearoa/New Zealand. We were truly honoured to be joined by two venerable guests for this webinar. Carl Ross, Executive Director of Te Matatini, who gave the karakia and introduced the research. Ripeka Evans, Pou Ārahi Whakahaere Strategic Māori Adviser at Ministry of Culture, who joined us for the whole event and kōrero with our presenters.


Taikākā: Teaching strategies to improve academic learning for Māori-medium ITE

The Taikākā project aimed to build upon existing, positive teaching and learning strategies (1) to improve academic outcomes in undergraduate, degree-level Māori-medium Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes. (2) One key focus was the investigation of a US-based professional teaching and learning system called AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination). (3) A small group of Māori-medium ITE academic and professional staff worked together to adapt and integrate selected AVID strategies to support the academic achievement of students within their programme (across two campuses).

Researchers: Prof Jenny Lee-Morgan (PI), Assoc Prof Lorri Santamaria (PI), Maia Hetaraka, Rochai Taiaroa, Dr Kimai Tocker, Veronica Peri, Heeni Black, and Liz Wilkinson


Matarākau: Traditional Healing In Taranaki

This project works to reclaim the stories of the elders of the Taranaki region in regard to traditional healing practices surrounding traditional healing. ‘Matarākau’ is not about knowledge for knowledge sake. It is about knowledge for the betterment of experiences as Māori. It is about recognizing the depth of knowledge held by Maori people, ngā puna mātauranga, who are our springs of knowledge and seeing those sources as having the potential to bring real change to the whānau (wellbeing) of Māori people. Matarākau is a symbolic expression of the eyes of the rākau (tree) that oversee our use of rongoā (traditional medicines).

Organized by the IAS Research for Indigenous Community Health (RICH) Collaborative.

Researchers: Mahinekura Reinfelds and Leonie Pihama

Matarākau: Reflections on Māori Healing Traditions in Taranaki

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