Whakauae Research has a commitment to communicating new knowledge for maximum impact.

We believe that effective dissemination – which means to mobilise and communicate our research findings - is the bridge that spans the gap between research and policy, research, and practice, and between research and the lived experiences of whānau Māori.  

Whakauae Research has developed its own model to guide the journey of our research from the conception of a project through to the point at which the research can inform, influence and support better ways to achieve Māori health and wellbeing.  

The resulting TUI model refers to the key aspects of dissemination as being ‘Translation, Uptake and Impact’.  

For us, the Tūī (as a native bird) is significant in its role as a messenger between Atua (gods) and ira tangata (human element). The Tūī, as a mediator of communications in te ao Māori, is used here as a metaphor in the TUI model where the activities aim to transform research findings across systems and worlds.

Translation is defined as the translation of key messages (from research findings and other insights) into communications that are easily understood and related to by the intended key audience, and in particular privileging whānau, hapori Māori, hapū and iwi. Translation is represented by the korokoro (throat) of the Tūī, whose unique call translates important information between different stakeholders (from whānau to decision makers).  

Uptake refers to key messages resulting in changes to how something (e.g., health services) is designed or delivered. The wings of the Tūī represent the ‘uptake’ of the information – the actioning of the message through the flying and movement of the Tūī.  

Impact is the result (on a micro, meso or macro level) of changes that occur in response to research findings and other insights. The Impact of the research is represented by the seeds – ngā kākano – dropped by the Tūī across the forest floor resulting in new life and growth.