Māori capacity and capability - Annual Report 2025

23 May, 2026

Building Māori capacity and capability within the Institute remains a central focus of our Pūtaiao Māori research programme. This year, we have strengthened networks of Māori Principal and Associate Investigators, postgraduates and early-career researchers through dedicated hui, mentoring and shared research planning. These gatherings create vital spaces for whakawhanaungatanga - fostering collaboration, career development and collective approaches to research that centre mātauranga Māori and community impact.

Alongside this, our Te Reo Māori classes, offered across Levels 1 and 2, continue to draw strong participation from across the Institute. These sessions not only support language revitalisation but also deepen cultural understanding and strengthen relationships within our research whānau.

Together, these initiatives embody our commitment to embedding Māori knowledge, values and leadership at every level of the Institute.

From left: Kirsty Doyle (Strategic Manager Māori), Pauline Harris (Deputy Director Māori) Kannan Ridings (AI), Carlie Watt (PhD student), Alan King-Hunt (PhD student), Alyssa Thomas (PhD student), Raine Hananui (RA), Ocean Mercier (PI), Joseph Nelson (AI), Derek Kawiti (PI).

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