University of Otago

Professor Tapsell is a graduate of the University of Auckland (MA - Social Anthropology) and University of Oxford (DPhil - Museum Ethnography) and has had a distinguished career working within both the Museum community and also academia. He was Tumuaki/Director Māori of Tamaki Paenga Hira/Auckland Museum from 2000-2008, and was appointed as a Professor of Māori Studies in 2009 when he joined the University of Otago in Dunedin.

Matiu's PhD research is on the factors that influence the development of proficiency in te reo Māori amongst adult learners. He also researches and has published on Māori Academic development.

Professor Poia Rewi is currently Chief Executive of Te Mātāwai. He was peviously Dean of Te Tumu (School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies), the University of Otago. His main areas of research and teaching, and community engagement involve the Māori language, Māori culture, education and performing arts. He is Co-Principal Investigator on the three-year Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Pae Tawhiti initiative on Te Reo Māori.