Opening of NWATT

Ngā Wai A Te Tūī Māori and Indigenous Research Centre was opened with the blessing of Kaumātua, Staff and pupils of Unitec Institute of Technology and wider community members and colleagues on the xxxx of xxxx 2019. Ngā Wai A Te Tūī provides a focal point for Māori research expertise to engage with the Māori community for a team of Māori researchers to engage with research projects.

The name was gifted to the Research Centre head Dr Jenny Lee-Morgan and her team by Kaumātua Dr Haare Williams and symbolises the connection with the natural landscapes, waterways, animal life and flora and fauna that inspires the genesis of research ideas and kaupapa to explore.

“ Understanding that research has been a powerful tool of colonisation in the past, it is critical to progress Kaupapa Māori research today.  “It helps re-frame how we’re talked about and referenced.  It’s important that Māori are able to assert the Māori perspective and understand the true value of it” says Dr Lee-Morgan.

Through the centre’s research projects, the Centre is working to reclaim Mātauranga Māori — goals, aspirations and issues from an indigenous perspective — and using Māori concepts, knowledge, theories and practice to think about and solve contemporary issues in society that helps to address people’s needs, improve conditions, and enhance lives.

Dr Lee- Morgan is immensely proud of her launch team which includes prominent researchers Irene Kereama-Royal – Research Partner – Rangahau Maori and Development Tuapapa Rangahau, Rau Hoskins – Architecture Lecturer, Rihi Tenana – Researcher Tuapapa Rangahau and Dr Tia Reihana – Researcher Tuapapa Rangahau, but looks set to grow as they collaborate with others on more projects.  Since opening, the Team have been honoured to appoint Ngāhuia Eruera as Office Manager, Jackie Paul Research Assistant and more recently Dr Leonie Pihama, an Associate Professor and acclaimed senior Māori Academic.

“It’s important to have Māori researchers involved because of their cultural connectedness and a belief that we can find answers to our problems” says Dr Lee Morgan.

In the short time since opening, the Centre has been engaged in a number of local, regional, national and international research events, presenting our research, having discussions with potential local research partnerships and seeking to develop international collaborations with other Indigenous researchers and their research centres.