Whakauae researchers recently attended the Global Indigenous Data Sovereignty Conference 2025 in Canberra, where they presented Te Pā Raraunga o Whakauae - a strategy grounded in Hauiti mātauranga and inspired by the traditional pā, Okahupokia. The event brought together Indigenous leaders from around the world to reflect on a decade of data sovereignty and governance. Our contribution was warmly received and marks an exciting step in the development of their data sovereignty mahi.
Members of the study entitled Commissioning Indigenous Evaluations, including Dr Amohia Boulton, recently met in Canberra over two days for the final face-to-face meeting for the research team. This study, funded by Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) seeks to identify how the commissioning practices of Australian government entities (i.e. federal, state/territory) and non-government organisations (e.g., not-for-profit, corporate, foundation, philanthropic) can better support Indigenous engagement and leadership in the evaluation of health and wellbeing programmes in Australia.
We are consolidating our track record of producing high quality, timely, Kaupapa Māori research, working for whānau, hapū, iwi and hapori Māori. This Pou produces the rigorous evidence, research expertise and the thought leadership that has the potential to transform health services, health policy, and Māori health governance.
We are strengthening our capacity to conduct high quality research through investment in our infrastructure and our people. This Pou supports attracting and retaining high-performance Māori expertise and ongoing commitment to upskilling talented people within the Māori health research sector.
We are enhancing our TUI (Translation, Uptake & Impact) platform through investment in new people, new technologies and varied modes of dissemination. This Pou works to design and package new knowledge into media that are useful and meaningful to whānau, hapū, iwi and hapori Māori and other stakeholders, and which engage and create communities of interest.
We are enriching our alliances at the local, national and international level with groups and organisations who have an interest in advancing a Māori/Indigenous health equity agenda. This Pou works to establish partnerships and expertise across local and international Indigenous groups to develop effective new evidence, ideas, and knowledge exchange.
Creating a new team within our organisation who, drawing on their respective leadership roles in the sector, will translate research evidence into “actionable intelligence”. This Pou works to connect Māori research evidence directly to key areas of change-making to achieve the inclusion of Māori evidence in public health and public policy.
