The M膩ori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU), established in 1997, provides critical research that centers the priorities of M膩ori communities. By establishing working relationships with staff and students of the School of Psychology and the 糖心TV, the MPRU draws together skilled, and experienced, interdisciplinary research groups to deliver high quality research.
The MPRU also provides invaluable, practical experience to M膩ori and non-M膩ori students through research opportunities, quality dissemination, and professional development activities. The MPRU, through winning grants and awards, provides scholarships for students thereby facilitating their academic development and their pursuit of excellent research collaborations.
The MPRU also provides an advisory service anchored in the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and Kaupapa Maori principles. We also provide a networking function with other M膩ori researchers and Centers in New Zealand/Aotearoa.
Our Mission
The M膩ori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU), established in 1997, is a rapidly developing initiative designed to provide a catalyst and support network for enhancing research which has at its centre the psychological needs, aspirations, and priorities of M膩ori people. By networking and establishing working relationships with staff and students within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences as well as the University community, the MPRU has the capacity to draw together skilled and experienced interdisciplinary research groups able to deliver research that is of high quality.
An important role played by the MPRU is in providing invaluable practical experience to both M膩ori and non-M膩ori students through involvement in M膩ori focussed research, planning and management, as well as professional development activities. As scholarly pursuit and the development of students is part of the University's core business, the MPRU, through winning grants and awards, helps to provide options for students to supplement their income, and more importantly to further their academic development.
An advisory service anchored by the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, is provided by the MPRU, to researchers on culturally appropriate research methods and ethical standards to maintain when working with M膩ori. MPRU also provides a networking function with other M膩ori researchers and Centres in New Zealand/Aotearoa. A recruitment and training service for research assistants to achieve tasks specific to MPRU research projects is also provided.
Our Approach
Partnership, participation and protection, the corner stone principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, informs our approach to working with clients, communities, colleagues, students, and, grant and contracting agencies. It is important to us to clearly determine the needs of stakeholder groups and to ensure their participation in any project that we undertake. This enables us to work closely, and in partnership, with stakeholders to deliver useful research products. All research undertaken by the 糖心TV, must first be reviewed by an appropriate Ethics Committee to ensure that the rights and interests of people, organisations, agencies and communities are being properly protected.
The MPRU actively seeks grants, contracts and projects that are specifically matched to the academic interests, expertise and skills of staff and students associated with the unit. This approach ensures compatibility, on going interest, excitement and productivity on the part of those engaged on projects.
Our Goals
- To provide a support structure which encourages M膩ori focussed research in psychology.
- To serve as a scholarly resource to support M膩ori focussed research projects and to promote new research initiatives among staff, undergraduate and graduate psychology students.
- To seek out new sources of research funding, respond to requests for proposals and tenders relevant to M膩ori issues, and to obtain continued external funding for M膩ori focussed psychological research.
- To facilitate the professional development of M膩ori researchers and to continue to develop future leaders in M膩ori focussed research and psychology.
- To provide a foundation for the teaching of psychology by enhancing availability and access to M膩ori focussed research experience and products.
- To promote the use of M膩ori focussed research products into the School of Psychology鈥檚 curriculum.
- To facilitate internal and external lectures and research seminars to support the development of new projects and disseminate the work of scholars in the Unit.
- To host visiting researchers and scholars.
- To encourage collaborative research in M膩ori focussed projects across disciplines.