Members of Te Urungi Māori, including Research Centre Director Dr. Amohia Boulton, a group formed to provide independent advice to the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, were recently hosted by the Mātai Medical Research Institute in Te Tairāwhiti. The purpose of the visit was to gain a deeper understanding of, and insight into, the work Mātai undertakes at the community, national and international levels, and to meet with members of the wider Malaghan Trust Board for a joint Te Urungi/Trust Board hui. Te Urungi were accompanied by Dr Georgia Carson (Ngāti Whakaue), the current Māori engagement advisor, and Tama Braithwaite-Westoby (Waikato Tainui), who will replace Georgia in that role in the new year. Dani Sword, a PhD student hosted by Malaghan and supported by Whakauae, also travelled with us.
Leigh Potter, Chief Operations Officer of Mātai and an imaging technologist with over 23 years clinical experience, was our host for the day, alongside colleagues, kaumatua and kuia. Te Urungi and Malaghan Trustees were welcomed to Mātai through a pōwhiri, led by kaumātua and rangatahi, including the many interns Mātai supports during their ten-week summer programme. Interns typically study health science, computer science, medical, or engineering at New Zealand universities and are from Te Tairāwhiti or strongly connected to the region.
Following the pōwhiri, we were given a tour of the impressive Mātai facilities before we convened a meeting of Te Urungi and then a joint Te Urungi Board member meeting to discuss aspects of the Malaghan’s next five-year strategic plan.
Te Urungi were impressed not only by the new facilities Mātai occupies but also by the work being done in diverse areas such as ADHD, recovery from methamphetamine addiction, prostate cancer, and glaucoma. The Mātai team have a unique role in the health research landscape, and a strong and vital connection to the people and land of Te Tairawhiti. The work they do is essential not only for the wellbeing of the Māori communities they serve, but for science and knowledge creation more widely.
Ki a koutou te whānau o Mātai, nei rā te mihi maioha mō tā koutou manaaki i a mātou. He miharo ake tā koutou mahi rangahau, mahi pūtaiao, mahi hauora hoki mō ngā iwi o Te Tairawhiti, ōtira mō ngā tāngata katoa.
Members of Te Urungi Māori, including Research Centre Director Dr. Amohia Boulton, a group formed to provide independent advice to the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, were recently hosted by the Mātai Medical Research Institute in Te Tairāwhiti. The purpose of the visit was to gain a deeper understanding of, and insight into, the work Mātai undertakes at the community, national and international levels, and to meet with members of the wider Malaghan Trust Board for a joint Te Urungi/Trust Board hui. Te Urungi were accompanied by Dr Georgia Carson (Ngāti Whakaue), the current Māori engagement advisor, and Tama Braithwaite-Westoby (Waikato Tainui), who will replace Georgia in that role in the new year. Dani Sword, a PhD student hosted by Malaghan and supported by Whakauae, also travelled with us.
Leigh Potter, Chief Operations Officer of Mātai and an imaging technologist with over 23 years clinical experience, was our host for the day, alongside colleagues, kaumatua and kuia. Te Urungi and Malaghan Trustees were welcomed to Mātai through a pōwhiri, led by kaumātua and rangatahi, including the many interns Mātai supports during their ten-week summer programme. Interns typically study health science, computer science, medical, or engineering at New Zealand universities and are from Te Tairāwhiti or strongly connected to the region.
Following the pōwhiri, we were given a tour of the impressive Mātai facilities before we convened a meeting of Te Urungi and then a joint Te Urungi Board member meeting to discuss aspects of the Malaghan’s next five-year strategic plan.
Te Urungi were impressed not only by the new facilities Mātai occupies but also by the work being done in diverse areas such as ADHD, recovery from methamphetamine addiction, prostate cancer, and glaucoma. The Mātai team have a unique role in the health research landscape, and a strong and vital connection to the people and land of Te Tairawhiti. The work they do is essential not only for the wellbeing of the Māori communities they serve, but for science and knowledge creation more widely.
Ki a koutou te whānau o Mātai, nei rā te mihi maioha mō tā koutou manaaki i a mātou. He miharo ake tā koutou mahi rangahau, mahi pūtaiao, mahi hauora hoki mō ngā iwi o Te Tairawhiti, ōtira mō ngā tāngata katoa.
