John is responsible for the integration of Hauora Māori/oranga niho in the curriculum of the undergraduate Bachelor of Dental Surgery and the Bachelor of Oral Health. John is also the director of the Ngai Tahu Maori Research Unit within the Centre for Hauora Māori.  The Unit was established in 1996 as a partnership between Te Runanga O Ngai Tahu and the Dunedin School of Medicine.