New directors announced for James Henare Research Centre
13 July 2026
Celebrating wāhine Māori leadership, Dr Maia Hetaraka and Dr Piata Allen join Te Whare Rangahau o Himi Henare as its new co-directors.
Following the re-cloaking of the James Henare Research Centre’s whakairo, a new announcement follows the mark of a New Year for Matariki and Puanga.
Dr Maia Hetaraka and Dr Piata Allen are leading Indigenous researchers at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, and are stepping into the future and aspirations for Te Whare Rangahau o Himi Henare, the James Henare Research Centre.
Established by the University in 1992, following hui with Te Tai Tokerau leaders, the James Henare Research Centre was created to advance research by, for and alongside the iwi and communities of the North. It is also dedicated to advancing Māori knowledge across the country.
Dr Hetaraka (Ngāti Wai, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Paoa) is uri (descendant) of Te Tai Tokerau and Head of the University’s Tai Tokerau Campus.
“It is important to me that JHRC returns to the North,” Hetaraka says. “There is such a vibrant, robust, challenging and innovative mahi happening in Tai Tokerau, being led by the people of Tai Tokerau that needs to be shared. I’m looking forward to JHRC playing a role in that.”
Hetaraka says stepping into this role is like a full circle moment.
“The Hetaraka and Henare whānau are very close, my father and uncle Erima (son of James Hēnare) were like brothers. Our families whakapapa to Hineamaru (Ngāti Hine) and her husband Koperu (Ngāti Wai).
“There has been a reciprocal relationship between our whānau for generations, cemented by land gifting, knowledge sharing, long remembering and child rearing.
“For me this role is another addition to that whakapapa, it is an opportunity for me to honour the work of our parents, grandparents and tūpuna.
“One of my favourite whakataukī from Tā Himi is: “It is preposterous that any Māori should aspire to be a poor Pākehā, when their true destiny, as prescribed by the Creator, is to become a great Māori”.
Hetaraka says the co-directorship alongside Dr Allen is an exciting opportunity to reinvigorate the work of the JHRC and create much stronger ties between Tāmaki and Te Tai Tokerau.
It is preposterous that any Māori should aspire to be a poor Pākehā, when their true destiny, as prescribed by the Creator, is to become a great Māori.
For Dr Allen (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Hinemanu, Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa), she’s excited to explore research projects that respond to community needs and support the development of emerging researchers and research relationships.
“There is a lot of change happening in the research space and my hope is that it will have a positive impact and allow us to connect with communities more.
“I am also looking forward to learning from them, and about the projects they want to see the centre take on.”
One project being Te Papakupu o Te Tai Tokerau – a dictionary for Northland te reo Māori dialect.
“I feel really privileged to be joining the team at a time like this.”
Allen also designs and delivers online learning programmes for te reo Māori, hangarau matihiko (digital technologies) and pāngarau (mathematics), as a way of creating pathways for Māori in education.
“Te Whare Rangahau o Himi Henare has made significant contributions over decades. Working in a space that has such a strong legacy, and future potential is a really exciting. Alongside Maia and the team, I aim to better understand the research needs of Te Tai Tokerau communities and the projects that are already underway.”
As the pair look towards the New Year, Hetaraka takes it back to Puanga, the tohu and marker for the Te Tai Tokerau region.
“I understand Pūanga traditionally as a time to be frugal and resourceful, ensuring that food stores stayed full to stave off scarcity through the winter,” says Hetaraka. “This is a time to consider priorities and manage wastefulness, a time to draw close to loved ones, to close the ranks and find comfort and security amongst whānau.
She says while celebrating Pūanga with lots of sharing and feasting, it’s also a time to consider the next steps, “to give ourselves and our taiao time to regenerate”.
“In that way this is a perfect time to begin a new role, we know there is lots of work ahead of us.” Hetaraka says.
For Allen, Matariki is a call to look to the future, and exploring ways to connect and engage with communities through the centre.
“I like to reflect on the year that has been and decide what I want to do more of in the new year. In doing so, I also consider what I want to let go of.” Allen says.
“Taking on a new role has really shaped the way that I approach this process. I am looking forward to leading alongside Maia in this new season for the centre.”
Media contact
Te Rina Ruka-Triponel | Kaitohutohu Pāpāho Māori
E: te.rina.triponel@auckland.ac.nz