University hosts celebration of Māori research excellence

Inspired by the pioneers of Indigenous research and education at the University, Te Pae Huinga Manu marks a milestone celebration of Māori-led research and leadership. The inaugural event, to be held at the University’s Fale Pasifika, will spotlight a selection of outstanding Māori researchers whose work demonstrates the depth and diversity of Indigenous scholarship across disciplines.

“The University reaffirms its commitment to supporting Māori research leadership as integral to national well-being, innovation, and prosperity,” says Kaiarataki and Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Māor Michael Steedman.

“We have many Māori researchers leading significant research programmes that advance outcomes for Māori and Aotearoa. This event captures just a glimpse of that leadership and aims to inspire the next generation of Māori scholars to see themselves within the global research landscape.”

The name Te Pae Huinga Manu evokes the image of a flock of birds gathering in strength and unity, symbolising Māori researchers coming together across disciplines to share their innovation, impact and leadership.

Celebrating Māori excellence across disciplines

The event will showcase leading Māori researchers whose work spans health, creative arts, design, earth systems and mātauranga Māori – highlighting that Māori excellence thrives across all fields of inquiry.

Keynote speakers will include Dr Willy-John Martin, Director Māori Science, Innovation and Technology at MBIE, Professor Frank Bloomfield, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, and Professor Te Kawehau Hoskins, Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori

Showcased Māori researchers include:

Professor Deidre Brown (Faculty of Engineering and Design) and Professor Ngarino Ellis (Art History, Faculty of Arts and Education)

Ockham Book Award winners 2025 for Toi Te Mana: An Indigenous History of Māori Art (Auckland University Press), which also recently won Best Book at the prestigious Apollo Awards. Their research restores Māori narratives of art and design, contributing to cultural identity, education, and the creative economy.

Professor Sarah-Jane Paine (Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences)

University of Auckland Research Impact Award winner 2025; research director of New Zealand’s biggest longitudinal study, Growing Up in New Zealand. Her work advances Māori health, health equity and life-course research informed by whānau ora principles.

Associate Professor Daniel Hikuroa (Māori Studies, Faculty of Arts and Education)

University of Auckland Research Excellence Medal winner 2023. An earth systems scientist bridging mātauranga Māori and environmental science to promote sustainable futures.

Dr Jamie-Lee Rahiri (General Practice and Primary Healthcare, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences)

Early Career Research Excellence Award winner 2024 and L’Oréal–UNESCO Science Award winner 2025. Leads Māori-centred surgical research and champions equity in clinical practice.

Dr Ngahuia Harrison (Fine Arts, James Henare Research Centre, Faculty of Arts and Education)

Vice-Chancellor’s Prize for Best Doctoral Thesis 2024. Her creative-led photographic research explores Indigenous relationships with place and memory.

Honouring a legacy of Māori research leadership

The legacy of Māori research excellence at Waipapa Taumata Rau has been shaped by visionary scholars whose work transformed Aotearoa’s academic and policy landscape, including Professor Ranginui Walker, Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Professor Margaret Mutu, Professor Bruce Biggs and Dr Moana Jackson.