April has been an action-packed month for our NPM team. 

We kicked off with a two day strategic planning session at Vaughan Park in Long Bay. It was the first time our Secretariat has come together since gaining new full-time appointments to our Pou Whakapā | Communications lead (Cindy Simpkins-McQuade, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Tūhourangi - Ngāti Wāhiao, Tūwharetoa), and Pou Whakaweawe | Impact and Transformation lead (Dr Maree Sheehan, Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Raukawa, Ngāti Tahu- Ngāti Whaoa). It was a timely opportunity to look forward and think about how, in our respective roles, we can all contribute to the NPM mission of ‘Creating the foundations for flourishing Māori futures.’  

February has been a devastating month for whānau and communities, with the flooding in Northland and Auckland, and then Cyclone Gabrielle. We are grateful that the NPM secretariat was not directly impacted by Gabrielle. However, it was a very tense and worrying time for those with whānau in the hardest hit areas, particularly the East Coast, Hawkes Bay and Northland.

Welcome to our first e-pānui of 2023!

We are grateful that our Tāmaki-based secretariat and researchers were able to return to the office this week after the recent flooding. Our aroha goes out to the many whānau affected by the devastation left in its wake. The manaakitanga extended by communities and marae reminds us, once again, of the power of kotahitanga that endures within Te Ao Māori in times of crisis.

After a very busy period, the NPM whānau are looking forward to a period of rest, reflection and recuperation.

Last month we virtually hosted more than 600 participants at our 10th International Indigenous Research Conference. With open access keynotes, concurrent paper sessions and collabs, IIRC22 provided multiple forums for Indigenous researchers to come together and share, strategise, listen and learn. 

With the promise of summer (and a holiday) now in sight, the team at NPM are ramping up to welcome our keynote speakers, presenters, and participants to IIRC22 on 15 November. The final programme for our fully virtual conference is on the NPM website. Registrations are still open. Don’t forget that we’ve also made the keynote sessions open access for those who aren’t registered –  you will still need to use the registration tool but just select the Free Keynote Only option.

The past month has been an extremely busy one at NPM with our network being in full planning mode for the upcoming virtual 10th International Indigenous Research Conference (IIRC22) and MAI Doctoral Conference, both in November.
 

Excitement is building at Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga as we draw closer to our 10th International Indigenous Research Conference in November. The online conference will bring together Indigenous researchers, knowledge-holders and practitioners from around the world to reflect, share, plan, innovate and get inspired. We are delighted to confirm that Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta - the only woman and Indigenous person to ever hold the portfolio - will be our opening speaker. Abstracts have now closed and we look forward to sharing more about the programme in coming months. 

The NPM whānau was thrilled to witness the landmark celebration of Matariki unfold across Aotearoa, cementing mātauranga as a core part of our national identity. Many of us tuned in to watch the pre-dawn ceremony that took place at Te Papa Tongarewa to welcome the star cluster Matariki (also known as Pleiades) that heralds the beginning of the Māori New Year.

The countdown is on for our flagship event, the International Indigenous Research Conference (IIRC), which will be held in virtual mode from November 14–18. IIRC is whanaungatanga at its best, bringing together scholars, knowledge-holders, practitioners and decision makers from across Aotearoa and the Indigenous world to share, reflect, and celebrate. The NPM secretariat has been a hive of activity, making arrangements and confirming keynote speakers and panels. Watch this space for future announcements on our exciting programme of speakers and the call for abstracts.

The last month has been an exciting period of renewal for Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga with the addition of two wonderful wāhine to our team.

Dr Kiri Edge has been appointed to the newly created role of Pouhere Rangahau (Research Leader), and Professor Melinda Webber is the incoming Chair of our Komiti Rangahau (Research Committee). Melinda takes over from Professor Huia Jahnke who served 6 years as Chair. We feel very fortunate to have Melinda and Kiri join NPM - you can read more about them later in this e-pānui.