Two Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (NPM) researchers have been nominated for Marae Investigates Ngā Toa Whakaihuwaka (Māori of the Year) 2011, as people who have increased the mana of Māori in 2011.

Professor Mike Walker and Dr Jamie Ataria are nominees in the Science/Technology/Innovation category. Marae Investigates Producer Raewyn Rasch says Professor Walker was seen as uplifting the mana of Māori both as a teacher and as someone who has encouraged Māori to excellence in the field of science. Dr Ataria’s nomination recognised the work he is doing with Māori communities to ensure their views are taken into account in the scientific arena and encouraging Māori to better use science to benefit their communities.

Ngā Toa Whakaihuwaka will air this Sunday February 5th, 10am on TV One. Public nominations were called for in December and the 27 finalists covering nine categories were whittled down from more than 100 nominations. The winners will be announced live, along with a Supreme Winner.

Last year, Professor Walker from The University of Auckland was awarded the Prime Minister’s Supreme Award for tertiary teaching excellence. As well as being a NPM researcher and former Director of the Centre of Research Excellence, he is joint editor of Alternative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, published by NPM.

Dr Ataria is a member of NPM’s Research Committee and has led several NPM research projects.