Learning from M膩tauranga M膩ori
糖心TV researchers are stepping beyond monocultural approaches to explore innovative solutions informed by m膩tauranga M膩ori (M膩ori knowledge systems and values).
A multitude of cross-disciplinary outputs are shaping sustainable approaches to wellbeing, technology, environmental responsibility and democratic governance.
When research is relational and grounded in m膩tauranga M膩ori, it leads to more inclusive systems that recognise the complex diversity of all people. M膩ori-centred approaches do more than address inequality; they deepen democracy, strengthen environmental care, and offer practical, culturally grounded pathways toward a more just and sustainable future. Our work offers a clear message: lasting solutions emerge when M膩ori knowledge, voices and values are placed at the centre. Drawing on holistic approaches from te ao M膩ori (the M膩ori world) and concepts of koha (reciprocity), manaakitanga (respect, care and generosity) and mauri (a binding central life-force), our researchers are reshaping healthcare to better serve diverse communities. We seek to challenge inequitable health outcomes and a 鈥榦ne size fits all鈥� approach across different contexts such as disability and aged care, and extractive models for research and care.
Through research that is relational with t膩ngata k膩p艒 M膩ori (Indigenous blind and low-vision persons), we highlight how ethically- and disability-led approaches that put people front and centre are helping to improve participation and more equitable outcomes.
These practices address systems designed without disability-centred knowledge and demonstrate how inclusive responsiveness can improve mental health outcomes, while reducing structural barriers and inequities faced by M膩ori with disabilities. Our work further outlines an ethical and reciprocal approach to information sharing with research participants who have shared time, knowledge and personal lived experience.
In New Zealand and the world, populations are ageing. Informal family caregivers are playing an increasingly important role in caring for older adults at home. Our researchers have revealed the structural gaps in informal caregiving systems. Instead of focusing on a single 鈥榩rimary caregiver鈥�, our work recognises care as a collective system grounded in aroha (love), whanaungatanga (relationships), and whakapapa (familial connections).
We identify collective care systems as a strength, albeit one that can mask inequities, and show that there is a need for better coordination, clearer knowledge sharing, greater recognition of caregivers鈥� wellbeing and culturally grounded support structures. Supporting these collective systems will improve health and wellbeing outcomes for our elderly and reduce hidden pressures on caregivers.
Our engineering researchers are using tikanga (method, conventions and protocol) to guide prosthetic design and use. Advancing prosthetic technologies can restore movement and independence, but many people reject the function-restoring devices because they do not align with their identity and broader spiritual and social selves.
We are using 鈥榖iosignals鈥� 鈥� measurements of biological activity 鈥� a key interface between the human body and computer systems, to improve prosthetic technologies. By embedding M膩ori perspectives that emphasise a holistic view of health that encompasses physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, family and social wellbeing, we are reframing biosignals, not as data to extract, but as a taonga (treasure) essential to spiritual and physical wellbeing. The approach has the potential to increase acceptance of prosthetics and improve the wellbeing of many amputees.
2025 Highlights
We鈥檙e producing innovative solutions to today鈥檚 interconnected challenges 鈥� climate change, sustainability, inequality and the pressures on democratic systems. By drawing on M膩ori worldviews and Indigenous knowledge, our research shows positive pathways forward for New Zealand and the world.
Prioritising M膩ori perspectives
By centring M膩ori voices and knowledge, we are addressing environmental wellbeing and the unequal health impacts of climate change, while strengthening our collective capacity to respond. With funding from the , we examined the growing intersection between climate change and health governance, with a particular focus on the inequitable impacts experienced by and forecast for M膩ori. We present a framework informed by te ao M膩ori to raise conscientised decoloniality and deliberative democracy when considering issues such as climate change. Our researchers argue that deliberative democracy, grounded in te ao M膩ori and supported by genuine allyship, leads to more effective, legitimate and equitable climate action.
We also explored how national identity and collective memory shape environmental stewardship. By embedding values such as whakapapa and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) into public narratives 鈥� including through museums and cultural institutions 鈥� we reframe land and ecosystems not as resources to exploit, but as relationships to protect.
M膩ori approaches to housing
Our research into sustainable housing development recognises m膩tauranga M膩ori as a powerful foundation to align economic activity with environmental care and community wellbeing.
Working with M膩ori organisations, we have shown how M膩ori ways of organising and managing support the construction process. The inclusion of kaitiakitanga (relational responsibility) and spiritual connection creates environmentally sustainable housing that supports the spiritual wellbeing of the inhabitants.
Indigenous knowledge and governance
We are contributing to more equitable and environmentally sustainable systems by centring M膩ori knowledge, histories and values. Our research shows how anti-M膩ori narratives undermine fair, evidence-based decision-making and reinforce inequality.
Complementary research draws on M膩ori oral traditions, whakapapa and radiocarbon dating to deepen understanding of biocultural landscapes and long-term environmental change. By valuing Indigenous ways of knowing and local knowledge, we support more inclusive governance, strengthen relationships with land and water, and help build systems that address inequality while protecting ecosystems for future generations.
Citations
August, L. R. J., Owen, M. W., Head, M. A., Hoskens, M. C. J., K枚nig, J. L., Keegan, T., & Singh, A. P. (2024). Tikanga and technology: Investigating the M膩ori perspective of biosignal acquisition within prosthetics. In Proceedings of the 36th Australasian Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (OzCHI 鈥�24). Association for Computing Machinery.
Hellmann, O. (2025). Constructing eco鈥恟esponsible national identities through collective memory: Settler and M膩ori histories of environmental change in Aotearoa New Zealand. Nations and Nationalism.
Lee Smith, D., Oetzel, J. G., Simpson, M. L., Nock, S., Wilson, Y., & Reddy, R. (2025). M膩ori management ontology: Organising nature focused housing enterprise with spirit. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion, 22(5), 543鈥�556.
Masters-Awatere, B., Graham, R., & Cowan, C. (2025). The gifts of k膩p艒: Systemic failures that impact the lives of k膩p艒 who are M膩ori. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 54(3), 37鈥�49.
Masters-Awatere, B., Howard, D., & Awatere, S. (2025). Deliberative democracy and te ao M膩ori in the pursuit of climate change governance. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12, Article 1498.
McIvor, I. H., Hogg, A., Roa, T., Waitoki, W., Boswijk, G., Gumbley, W., Anderson, A., & McBride, R. (2025). Genealogies and oral histories as chronological networks: Interfacing whakapapa (M膩ori genealogies) with Gregorian calendar year archaeological radiocarbon dates. Archaeometry, 67.
Simpson, M. L., McAllum, K., Fox, S., Unson, C., Hancock, T. O., & Carlson, A. (2024). Love, support and structural holes: M膩ori wh膩nau carer experiences in collective family care systems. Ageing & Society, 45(9).
Tan, K., Waitoki, W., Scarf, D., & Phillips, J. B. (2025). Problematic reasoning under the guise of anti-M膩ori talk: A case study of the Three Waters tweets. Howard Journal of Communications.
Wehi, P. M., Cox, M. P., Whaanga, H., & Roa, T. (2024). Plant biocultural landscapes in M膩ori oral tradition. Journal of Ethnobiology, 45(1).