Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (NPM) was delighted with the appointment of Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora (Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngāi Tūhoe) to the position of Co-Director of NPM, and Professor of Māori Studies based at Te Wānanga o Waipapa, University of Auckland and on Friday the 27th October NPM and University of Auckland welcomed Professor Nikora onto Waipapa Marae, and into her new position as Co-Director of NPM and Professor of Indigenous Studies.

Manuhiri arrived from throughout the motu to celebrate this important event together with all of us here at NPM, including our chairman Tā Tīpene O'Regan, our patron Tā Pita Sharples and many others.

At the end of the pōwhiri and amidst much whaikōrero (oratory), waiata (song) and kata (laughter) outgoing Co-Director Professor Tracey McIntosh welcomed Linda across to NPM and into the University, for this new chapter in the ever expanding story of Māori and Indigenous research excellence.

Watch coverage of the Pōwhiri by Māori Television.
 
We would like to take this opportunity to again thank Professor Tracey McIntosh for her contribution to NPM and to congratulate her on her appointment to Professor of Indigenous Studies and Co-Head of Te Wānanga o Waipapa at the University of Auckland.

Tracey has been very influential in the success of NPM over its 15 years, involved from the early days in leadership positions and most recently as Co-Director (2016-2017) and fortunately Tracey will continue to contribute and provide some leadership for NPM. She is the Chair of the National Māori Research Strategy NPM is leading and will also continue in her role as Co-Editor of NPM’s Journal AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koe Tracey.

Linda Waimarie has now commenced her new role as Co-Director, working alongside Professor Jacinta Ruru to advance our collective vision of Māori Leading New Zealand into the Future. Linda  brings vast skills and experience to NPM and our nationwide senior management team, theme leaders, research network and the Auckland based secretariat.

She has consistently carried out innovative work throughout her career, working with NPM on projects which have examined subjects as diverse as modern tangihanga practice and the unintended impacts of Te Reo Māori language revitalisation, and together with her contemporaries throughout our research network she continues to lead and advance Māori research knowledge, contributing to wider discussions on Indigenous wellbeing and cultural identity, and increasing our collective awareness of ongoing issues and possible solutions.

Nō reira e te taumata okiokinga,
E aratakingia te rangahau-a-Iwi Taketake,
Kia puta ki te whaiao ki te ao mārama,
Nau mai, karawhiti mai rā

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