Whiringa-ā-nuku has been a busy month for the Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga team, many of whom continue to work from home in Tāmaki and Waikato. Concern over the increasing COVID-19 case numbers and the challenges of lockdown - particularly for those living alone or with young tamariki - has amplified the importance of providing pastoral care to  colleagues and tauira. We are always grateful for the courage and commitment of those working tirelessly to keep our whānau and workplaces safe.

A highlight for NPM this month was the successful launch of He huringa āhuarangi, he huringa ao: a changing climate, a changing world, led by NPM senior researcher Dr Shaun Awatere.

We feature the mahi (work) of Shaun and his colleagues below and are incredibly proud that their work is already having an impact, making its way to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.

A major report concerning the future of Aotearoa’s Research, Science & Innovation (RSI) sector was also released this month.Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways Green Paper marks the beginning of consultation for a multi-year programme of sector reform. Areas singled out for change include Tiriti obligations and opportunities to support Māori research aspirations and mātauranga Māori, whole-of-system research priorities, and future funding of the RSI system.

NPM Co-Director Professor Tahu Kukutai was invited to speak at the launch of the green paper alongside the Minister of Research, Science & Innovation, Hon. Dr Megan Woods and Associate Minister Hon. Dr Ayesha Verrall (https://youtu.be/q-vDInTfi1g)

The team at NPM were delighted to be able tune in from home to watch former Board member Dame Cindy Kiro be sworn in to the role of Governor General RNZ’s Kim Hill Interview | Dame Cindy Kiro: the first female Māori governor-general.

Dame Cindy has long been a trailblazer. Her stellar record includes being the first wahine Māori to be appointed the Ahorangi Chief Executive of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, and she was previously the Children’s Commissioner and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Māori) at Auckland University. For her swearing in ceremony Dame Cindy wore a magnificent kahukiwi made by the late Te Āti Awa weaver Erenora Puketapu-Hetet. E poho kereru ana mātou e te kahurangi!

Finally, NPM is honoured to be able to announce a new named internship in memory of our much-loved colleague Dr Paora Mato. Named internships honour those who have made a significant contribution to the life of NPM. A computer scientist, Paora worked for many years at the interface of digital innovation and mātauranga Māori with his University of Waikato colleagues Assistant Professors Te Taka Keegan and Hemi Whaanga. The intern will work with Te Taka and leading engineer Professor Kim Pickering to create a 3D carving based on a taonga (treasure) owned by Paora. The project has been co-created with Paora’s whānau.

Ngā Pou Matarua | Co-Directors

• Professor Tahu Kukutai
• Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora