New Zealand invests in Maori research

The New Zealand government is committing $6.5 million to a program that will increase the number of Maori in the workforce of the research, science and innovation.

“Growing a research workforce in which Maori perspectives and experience are well represented is a key part of ensuring we have a thriving and talented workforce to meet today’s opportunities and challenges. and of the future”, said the Minister of Research, Science and Innovation, Ayesha Verrall.

Maori researchers at the beginning of their career in research institutes are often under pressure to perform two roles. On the one hand, research and on the other, an unpaid function of cultural leadership. With few Maori research mentors to guide them through these unique and added pressures, Maori researchers can experience burnout and lose focus on research.

The Maori-led programme, called Kanapu, will develop a suite of initiatives to connect Maori talent in the research workforce. Its aim is to increase the number of Maori engaged in research and to help address the unique pressures they face.

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What is the program about?

“Kanapu” means “lightning” or “instant flash” and will create programs that connect Maori researchers between research institutions, including those of the iwi and hapū communities. It will help Maori researchers at different stages of their career to thrive through mentoring and training initiatives.

“We are seeing more opportunities where mātauranga Māori experts can contribute different thinking on issues like climate change. Kanapu will help retain and expand these skills, and build a strong foundation for future research and innovation.”

Kanapu is funded from the Budget 2020 “Expanding the Impact of Vision Mātauranga” initiative, where $33 million was allocated to attract and grow Māori talent in research, science and innovation. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment provides this financing.

The ‘Kanapu’ programme, which means ‘lightning’ or ‘instant flash’, will create connections between researchers and research institutions in order to develop Maori talent

Investment Objectives

The program will be designed and delivered by the New Zealand Maori Center of Research Excellence, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga at the University of Auckland. This will be supported by a team based at Te Ngira: Institute for Population Research, University of Waikato, who have met with Professor Tahu Kukutai, co-director of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga.

Importantly, Kanapu will create leadership training based on Maori values, provide culturally relevant professional training for mentors in the research, science and innovation sector.

“Kanapu is one more way the government reinforces the benefits that Maori knowledge, culture, values ​​and worldview bring to the research system. This initiative will improve employment outcomes for Maori and will benefit the entire research workforce,” Verrall concludes.