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Research Overview

Rangahau o NPM 

Our Research NPM research solves real world challenges facing Māori. We do so in Māori-determined and inspired ways engendering sustainable relationships that grow the mana (respect and regard) and mauri (life essence) of the world we inhabit. 

The Matakitenga research framework 

The expertise of the Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga researcher network is organised by four Te Ao Māori knowledge and excellence clusters or Pae: Pae Ahurei (Living Uniquely), Pae Tawhiti (Living Lightly), Pae Ora (Living Well), Pae Auaha (Living Smartly).

Four Pātai or critical systems-oriented questions generate transformative interventions and policy advice for stakeholders and next users. Their integration in our Matakitenga Research Framework articulates our research funding and reinforces the foundations of mātauranga Māori through sound research attuned to the lived experience of Māori:

  • Pātai Te Ao Māori - How can te reo, tikanga and mātauranga continue to inform our futures?
  • Pātai Whānau - How can whānau wellbeing be realised in everyday life? 
  • Pātai Mauri - How can mātauranga inform and drive sustainable and just societal practices? 
  • Pātai Puāwai - How can research be used transformatively to accelerate the achievement of flourishing Māori futures?

Displaying 19 - 24 of 470 research items. Filter results below:

  • Matihiko whakairo Māori – carving Māori experiences with 3D digital technologies

    25-26INTS07
    Internship project
    Pae Auaha

    The intern collaborated closely with leading technology providers and Dr Rory Clifford to explore how emerging digital tools—such as 3D modelling, carving simulations, and immersive environments—can deepen tamariki engagement with mātauraka Māori.

    Project commenced:
    Project completed

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  • Ngā Au o Te Awaroa: Podcast Project Celebrating Māori Philosophy, Creativity, and Community.

    25WHA10
    Whakaaweawe
    Rautaki Kounga

    Awardee: Kirsty Dunn (Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa), University of Canterbury

    The Awardee will undertake the Whakaaweawe Impact and Transformation Grant titled Ngā Au o Te Awaroa: Podcast Project Celebrating Māori Philosophy, Creativity, and Community.

    This three-part podcast project aims to share research undertaken within Aotahi: School of Māori and Indigenous Studies with the wider community, while also celebrating the innovative kaupapa led by postgraduate students.

    Project commenced:

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  • Ngā Pou Māreikura – Virtual pillars as building blocks for engagement.

    25WHA02
    Whakaaweawe
    Pae Auaha
    Pātai Puāwai

    Awardee: Deborah Heke (Nga Puhi. Te Arawa), Unitec

    Funding from this Grant will contribute to activities that support the dissemination, engagement, and impact of research and creative outputs, specifically: the creation and development of a prototype augmented reality (AR) experience exhibition that shares Māori research and narratives through immersive digital storytelling.

    Project commenced:

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  • Ngā pou māreikura: mapping literature to wāhine Māori wellbeing and belonging

    25-26INTS08
    Internship project
    Pae Ora
    Pātai Puāwai

    This project is a Māori-led research project that explores wāhine Māori experiences of health, connection, and belonging through a framework grounded in mātauranga wāhine and relationships with te taiao.

    Project commenced:
    Project completed

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  • Nga Taonga Tuku Iho

    2SWHA12
    Whakaaweawe
    Pae Ahurei
    Pātai Puāwai

    Awardee: Dr Reuben Collier (Ngāti Porou, Rereahu-Maniapoto), Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

    The Awardee will undertake the Whakaaweawe Impact and Transformation Grant titled Nga Taonga Tuku Iho.

    He Rau Aroha: This book pays tribute to specific soldiers of the 28th Maori Battalion who gave their lives during the Battle of Cassino where they were killed in action. Each contributor began with a soldier's regimental number and carefully researched their story. Families of the soldiers were interviewed so their voices and memories could be told in the research.

    Project commenced:

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  • Ngāti Kuia: He Pūtake, Hei Pakiaka Ora | A History. The first book focused on the history and identity of Ngāti Kuia.

    25WHA13
    Whakaaweawe
    Pae Ora
    Pātai Te Ao Māori

    Awardee: Madi Williams (Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Rangitāne o Wairau), University of Canterbury

    The Awardee will undertake the Whakaaweawe Impact and Transformation Grant titled Ngāti Kuia: He Pūtake, Hei Pakiaka Ora | A History. The first book focused on the history and identity of Ngāti Kuia.

    Ngāti Kuia is an iwi from Te Tauihu-o-Te-Waka-a-Māui. Ngāti Kuia’s history has been left out or misrepresented in existing works. This book is an intentional, necessary writing of Ngāti Kuia into the historical narratives. The aim of the book is to illuminate Ngāti Kuia perspectives about their past and provide these perspectives with a platform in the historical narratives in an accessible way for Ngāti Kuia whānau, the general reader, as well as academics, both Māori and non-Māori.

    Project commenced:

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