He aka ka toro navigation fund 2023 successful projects

Te Aka Tairoa is a research project of the Ngāti Rārua Iwi Trust to improve digital capabilities and connectivity across our whānau, hapū, marae and iwi networks. It will survey whānau and marae preferences, needs and expectations of digital services, and trial options to improve skills, confidence, access and safe interactions with online technologies and social media. Wānanga with whānau will support good engagement with the digital world and introduce a recording system for whānau to capture and share their stories, ideas, whakatauki, waiata, images and video. The project will focus on Ngāti Rārua whānau and hapū through our 5 marae in Te Tauihu.

The Realness NZ Limited (The Realness) has been awarded funding to become ‘research ready’ in order to achieve the outcomes and goals of the following research project.

The Realness wants to innovate systems, processes and practices for indigenous SMEs in Aotearoa, through researching and adapting Māori knowledge to enterprise operations. 

The Realness wants to unlock the innovation potential of whakaaro Māori for enterprise. To achieve this very large kaupapa, it will hui, wānanga and kōrero with our extended community. Casting an incredibly wide-net will allow the Realness to capture knowledge from tangata whenua business owners with Māori whakaaro woven in their business practices, to community groups, and to experts committed to best practice, tiriti-centric principles, and indigenous world views.

Using these learnings as an initial framework, The Realness will:

• create/share resources for Māori businesses to adapt indigenous knowledge to their practices
• build kaupapa driven operations which put people and Papatūānuku first
• drive systemic change that reflects the Aotearoa we want to live in.

Iwi Māori consider that Papatūānuku sustains all life, and that they are spiritually connected to her. It is through our kaupapa Te Mauri o Papa, that we look to honour her sustenance with our Whare Āngi Papakāinga that offers affordable home ownership solutions, that are adaptable and offer resilience to climate change.

Our Whare Āngi have enduring properties such as they are fireproof, insect-proof, and unharmed by moisture - they will not rot or decay. They offer good thermal and acoustic insulation and are very airtight and thus insulate well, allowing for superior heat consistency. This results in improved energy efficiency and lowers heating and cooling costs for whānau during the colder, winter months. This puts Whare Āngi at an advantage when it comes to designing low carbon homes that meet – and exceed - building regulations.

The goal of Te Mauri o Papa is to research the building properties and benefits of the Whare Āngi construction processes, identify locally available resources for the construction of Whare Āngi, and to work with local organisations to develop pathways for accessible home ownership through our low cost to build Whare Āngi solutions.

Aho Kākahu is a research project in phase one of development. This research project will be conducted over four months. Aho Kākahu will build a wānanga for tauira Māori to be developed in both traditional and contemporary methods of raranga (weaving) in the context of reclamation of kākahu Māori. The learning for both tauira and kaiwhakahaere is to unpack the loss of kākahu Māori and focus on a healing process through connection, education, and reciprocation.

Aho kākahu will engage with iwi, hapū and whānau Māori to develop a wānanga that will normalise and welcome creative thinking and innovation toward the reclamation of kākahu Māori in an ever-changing modern world.

Whiria te tāngata kia toitū te mātauranga.

Weaving the people together to ensure the long-term sustainability of knowledge.

The Erana Kaunga Tuhura Whānau Trust (EKTW Trust) aims to transform a small part of a block of whenua Māori on the East Coast of Aotearoa, by developing a small-scale sustainable bamboo forest. The EKTW Trust aims to bring environmental, economic, and cultural benefit to the Tairāwhiti region by leading the growth of bamboo as an economically significant non-timber forest product. There is a trend in changing customer preference for non-plastic products. Bamboo is globally realised as a high value crop, yet remains completely underdeveloped as a raw and sustainable material in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

This Project can be described as a Māori led grassroots community trial, which aims to document and see if bamboo can establish itself on the East Coast. Through the careful selection of non-invasive bamboo species, the Project will plant bamboo on a small section of whenua Māori and will plant along with natives and during the 12 months, growth of bamboo is tracked and monitored.

The outcome will be understanding if the soil and conditions have promoted the productive growth of the species captured through measuring circumference and height of bamboo samples. It is the intention to facilitate a rangahau noho wānanga to signify the completion of the first 12 months of this project. EKTW aims to extend its knowledge of land productivity and support forestry leadership by weaving mātauranga Māori and western science and aims to look at the growth of the industry to see how Bamboo could be productively utilized in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

For Matihiko Ora - Ka Eke - Ka Toro, Making Everything Achievable LTD (MEA) aims to partner with existing Māori training and work placement providers with the longer-term goal of designing and developing an industry standard and curriculum for “Earn as you Learn” courses. These courses would be part of an internship within a technology company. Companies and trainees would be supported culturally and financially with the potential for ongoing employment.

MEA’s first step is rangahau, surveying the existing opportunities. It will interview training participants in the Māori tech sector, building on the research conducted for the recently released report “Mapping the Māori Tech Sector 2023 and beyond”.

That report makes a number of recommendations. The strongest theme to come out of that research was the urgent need to provide training and qualifications to encourage rangatahi to consider tech careers, as early as possible in their education and to create entry points for those who may be starting later. The insights gained on what that could look like provides the groundwork for this mahi.

MEA aims, with this methodology, to present to the government a pathway that could be rapidly adopted, towards incomes and jobs for Māori communities across Aotearoa. The technology sector is growing at twice the rate of the general economy and empowering rangatahi with digital skills represent a once in a generation opportunity to uplift communities without needing to uproot whānau long term.

Based in the Waikato and Tāmaki Makaurau with three iwi partners, the Project will:  

• build a legal, cultural, and commercial infrastructure by and for Kaitiaki responsible for Research and Development (R&D) and taonga-derived Intellectual Property (IP) ownership and utilisation;
• support a range of research activities focused on IP owned and controlled by an entity comprised of Kaitiaki representatives;
• translate research purpose, processes, protections, and products into formats that engage a diverse range of iwi members from the three iwi partners involved in the kaupapa; and
• build on the trusting relationships developed over 3 years between 3 iwi entities, 2 companies, four universities and 1 Crown Research Institute, to create plans for a broader research programme involving more taonga species, more Kaitiaki partners and more R&D partners.

Hiwa Systems is proud to introduce its transformative project focused on scientific research in remote areas using its cutting-edge prototype, the Etech M500, a geo-location enabled safety headset specifically designed to enhance the safety, productivity, and well-being of workers in challenging and demanding environments. 

This initiative aims to empower Māori communities involved in these sectors, striving to create a safer and more efficient work environment. Collaborating with local iwi and Māori owned businesses, our goal is to equip these collectives with the essential tools and facilitate their access to opportunities in research, science, and innovation, leveraging our technology and expertise. 

Hiwa Systems is excited about the positive impact this project will have on workplace safety and well-being for the Māori communities engaged. Through collaboration, innovation, and a strong commitment to excellence, we are dedicated to creating a safer and more prosperous future for the hard-working people of Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Ngā Pakiaka ki te Rāwhiti
Ngā Pakiaka ki te Uru
Ngā Pakiaka ki te Raki
Ngā Pakiaka ki te Tonga

Whakapiri mai, whakatata mai,
He ao te rangi ka ūhia, ma te huruhuru te manu ka rere

Tīhei Mauri ora!

This ground-breaking research project is focussed on the immense benefits available to Māori through disruptive change presently taking place within the global air transport environment. 

Air travel is rapidly embarking on an exciting new journey. With the ongoing advent of state- of-the-art, low-emissions technologies, we are witnessing a revolutionary change to the concept of air mobility as we currently know it. This rapidly evolving sector is known globally as “Advanced Air Mobility” (AAM). 

AAM is an air-mobility system that will transport people and cargo between places underserved by existing air links. AAM utilises emerging autonomous flight capabilities and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to provide an air mobility eco-system that will enhance the well-being and connectivity of our communities. 

Vertilink's research project is dedicated to addressing the unique needs of Māori communities, particularly those that are underserved by existing transport links. By focusing on AAM infrastructure, we aim to empower these communities to be at the forefront of harnessing the future benefits in this sector.

Vertilink will identify communities throughout Te Ika-a-Maui, research existing transport links, and collaborate with Iwi and community to assess current services. Through a comprehensive needs assessment, we will determine how AAM can best serve these communities by establishing specialised infrastructure called "Vertiports." Vertiports facilitate aircraft operations, passenger movements, and provide sustainable energy for electric aircraft. 

This project opens an unprecedented opportunity to embrace forward-thinking, innovative, and sustainable mobility solutions, whilst positioning Māori as global leaders and ensuring a bright future for our rangatahi and our planet for generations to come.

Ehoa, the first digital app of its kind in the world, guides its user to track their energy levels, emotions and/or menstrual cycle alongside the Māori lunar calendar system, known as maramataka, for the purpose of improving overall wellbeing and unlocking personal potential through observation of self and the environment.

This research project will analyse data collected from thousands of Ehoa app users (focus group) to determine if in fact there exists patterns between the users energy levels, emotions, menstrual cycle and the phases of the moon.

Is there a link between someone’s energy levels and the Maramataka? Is there a link between someone’s menstrual cycle and maramataka? What, if any patterns exist between people’s emotions and Maramataka? Are any or all of these things interrelated in some way? If so, what new knowledge can we gain from this deeper understanding?

The Project will see a steering group assembled of researchers in different fields (maramataka, psychology, menstrual cycle, statistician & Māori science) who will complete the 2 year research within 5 phases. Leads Michele Wilson and Samantha Veitch hope that the end of the research will see new knowledge being shared for the improvement of mental health outcomes for Māori and inspiration internationally for other Indigenous groups and Women to utilise their own indigenous practices to create positive outcomes in their communities. 

Led by Innovator and Entrepreneur Michele Wilson, founder of AWWA, and Mental health and Māori mindfulness Teacher Samantha Veitch, with the backing of advisors Meretini Bennett-Huxtable (Maramataka practitioner and researcher) and Kendall Flutey (founder Banqer) and Māori Academic and Psychologist Dr Jade Le Grice.

Ka tikina ake ai he wai hei oranga mo te ao katoa.

He Waiora, he wai Māori, he wai Tai, he wai Tapu, he wai Mate me he Wairua.

Ka rere tonu te Wai mai i nga maunga tae noa ki te Moana ko reira ka hikina ake ki a

Ranginui e tu atu nei kia tangihihia mo tana piringa pumau ko Papatūānuku.

Koina te maringinoa o ngā roimata e maturuturu ana hei aroha pūmau mo te tangata. Me

ko wai āhau e tū iho nei, he uri whakaheke no te rere o te wai ū o ōku tūpuna ko tōku ū

kaipō, tōku turangawaewae e pupuri nei he kainga mōku.

Whakapakeha

Reef ecosystems are rapidly declining around Aotearoa with many under a rāhui. Ahipara is in Northland and is a coastal village at the beginning of Te Oneroa a Tōhe.  Ahipara Takiwā will map and assess species thriving in the rāhui since 2009 on Tauroa reef to estimate its carbon value and develop a machine learning model that accurately assesses species in and outside of this rāhui. Academics at the University of Auckland will provide their expertise in computer vision and artificial intelligence to 3D map the reef. Commercial divers will create video images of the reef system. The iwi will provide drone imagery of the shallow reef ecosystems and our collaboration with Wilderlab will support environmental DNA assessments of the reef.  The aim is to develop a process to support investment in blue carbon of the reef, creating sustainable financial mechanisms to provide direct benefits to the Ahipara Takiwā / Te iwi o Te Rarawa, including jobs and infrastructure, restoring the reef, and capturing carbon to build a resilient hapu and iwi.

Small communities are struggling to build the capacity to tackle the growing problem of nitrate contamination. To address this issue, Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou (TRO) is spearheading a transformative project with the support of Te Kura Taka Pini Ltd. (TKTP), placing emphasis on leadership, collaboration, and cultural values.

At the heart of this project are the TRO community who experience the direct impact of rising nitrate levels. As the kaitono of this project, TRO acknowledge and honour whānau members whose active involvement will be central to discovering effective solutions. Their knowledge, experiences, and aspirations will guide the project's direction and ensure that outcomes are aligned with TRO's values and rakatirataka over wai.

TRO is investing in the future by building capacity within our community. As such, we are proud to support a young Māori master's student from TRO. Through collaboration with TKTP, University of Canterbury supervisors, and experts from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, the student’s expertise will be bolstered to drive the project's success.

The project's primary goal is to develop a conceptual model that goes beyond simply identifying nitrate sources. It will utilise risk and probability analysis and account for climate change impacts to craft sustainable solutions to nitrate contamination. The tool’s adaptability is key, as it will not only address the Ōtākou specific situation but will be translatable to other regions in Aotearoa facing similar water quality challenges.

Together we will safeguard hauora takata and hauora wai to ensure that our community thrives, while preserving the essence of our cultural heritage.

Nāku te rourou, nāu te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.

Muhupōpō encapsulates a whanau led, place-based research programme utilising mātauranga Māori and western science knowledge systems. Located on the bank of Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui) and the home of Ngati Kuruwhatia, the programme will:

1. facilitate research to transition from current exotic pine to alternative sustainable and commercially viable land use; including
2. mapping of the rohes endemic species; and
3. establish an in-situ marae based research hub for whanau to work from.

The research programme will bring together the hapori of Ngaporo Waimarino Forest Trust, Pipiriki Incorporation and local hāpu of Ngāti Kuruwhatia who will provide the governance and leadership in conjunction with Project Administrators, Te Pū Oranga Whenua. Key partners will include crown research institutes and independent subject matter experts that can provide expertise, advice and resources that can contribute to Muhupōpō.    

"Violence Is Not Our Culture" is an impactful and thought-provoking body of research that delves into the profound issue of intergenerational trauma within Māori communities.

The research comes from a journey across Aotearoa to explore the roots of domestic violence in communities. Through intimate conversations and personal stories, the research sheds light on courageous individuals who are actively breaking the cycles of abuse and trauma. Each story researched in "Violence Is Not Our Culture" unearths the harsh realities faced by Māori communities and confronts the deeply ingrained cultural norms that perpetuate violence. The research engages with community leaders, academics, survivors, and experts who offer invaluable perspectives on the complex issue, not only highlighting the gravity of the problem but also showcasing the transformative power of intergenerational healing through the stories of extraordinary tāne Māori who, against all odds, have risen above their circumstances to become agents of change.

The research aims to challenge preconceptions and foster a deeper understanding of the nuanced factors contributing to domestic violence within indigenous cultures. "Violence Is Not Our Culture" goes beyond surface-level exploration, delving into the systemic issues that perpetuate violence and abuse. It examines the historical and social contexts, addressing the interplay between colonisation, cultural preservation, and the healing process. The series underscores the urgent need for culturally sensitive approaches to healing and emphasises the importance of community-led initiatives in breaking these cycles and critiquing (and rewriting) dated narratives of stereotypical Polynesian masculinities.

With its gripping narratives and raw authenticity, "Violence Is Not Our Culture" aims to provoke empathy, ignite conversations, and inspire change. It celebrates the resilience and strength of Māori communities while highlighting the possibilities of intergenerational healing. "Violence Is Not Our Culture" invites communities to re-evaluate their perceptions and join the kaupapa towards a more compassionate and violence-free future.

NUKU: Narrative as Rongoā (NNAR) aims to explore the powerful effect of wāhine Māori narratives on our collective and individual oranga. The project builds on the highly successful NUKU pilot project that produced a critically acclaimed, legacy publication for the whole whānau, NUKU: Stories of 100 Indigenous women (Matata-Sipu, 2021).

Using innovative Kaupapa Māori and Indigenous Storywork approaches, NNAR will produce new wāhine stories, create opportunities for NUKU community engagement and knowledge exchange (including a wānanga for tane), and analyse the collection of NUKU stories to develop mātauranga (ideas/strategies) that nourish oranga. The project will also consider ways to expand the positive impacts and tangible benefits of NUKU.

NNAR weaves intergenerational wisdom, wāhine mātauranga and lived experiences of diverse wāhine Māori to heal the harmful effects of colonisation and intergenerational trauma. Wāhine build new knowledge, skills, and networks, strengthening their identity and connections in te ao Māori. They become more effective agents of change in their communities, exercising leadership on issues affecting Indigenous women.

Although based in Tamaki Makaurau, NUKU is developing a nationwide network of wāhine Māori, and this project will increase that outreach. NNAR will also connect with other wāhine Māori investigators, sharing ideas and exploring future research collaborations that focus on the interests of and challenges facing wāhine Māori and their communities. The project will deliver a NUKU event for 300 wāhine, multi-media resources (podcasts and webpage) and a Rongoā Framework for wāhine and their communities.

Project investigators will share key findings with International Indigenous research collectives, co-author a peer-reviewed article, and produce a book manuscript. Through these scholarly engagements, the project will contribute new knowledge on Rongoā and make methodological advances in the field of Indigenous Studies.

The Pūhoro STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Mātauranga) Academy seeks to realise a more equitable Aotearoa future by improving rangatahi access to STEM education and accelerating transition into high skilled employment. Pūhoro engages with 30 national and regional partners to support over 2000 rangatahi in 69 schools and tertiary institutions across 10 regions in Aotearoa each year. Rangatahi in the academy perform better in NCEA than other Māori, and are five times more likely to transition to tertiary education. Although increased engagement and equitable access to STEM is a key driver of the academy, it is only part of the challenge. The goal is to prepare rangatahi to revolutionalise the sector and find solutions to improve the lives of their whānau and communities.

More rangatahi in the sector to awaken and harness the potential of a mātauranga-inspired STEM economy is the central focus of this research project. We will connect rangatahi with communities to revive intergenerational pathways to ancestral knowledge and practices to codesign new strategies to use and innovate mātauranga and successfully participate and navigate the sector; this research will make a substantive contribution to building the influencers and leaders of the STEM economy of tomorrow.

“Pourangahau: Reconnecting whānau to kōrero tuku iho of alpine environments through tikumu” is a research programme based in Te Tauihu (the top of the South Island). The aims of the project are to:

• Work with whānau in Te Tauihu to revitalise knowledge and practices associated with alpine environments;
• Better understand the properties, cycles, and risks associated with tikumu and apply that knowledge to guide sustainable harvesting and conservation; and
• Reconnect tikumu to mahi toi and weaving practitioners across Aotearoa so that it is more readily seen in Māori creative and performing arts.

Tikumu is a specific type of large leafed alpine mountain daisy. Many tūpuna, particularly in Te Waipounamu, had a relationship with tikumu. It was a critical resource for those traversing high alpine trails for its protection properties including its warmth, water resistance, wind resistance, and its medicinal applications. Those relationships and associated knowledge systems have largely been lost over time. With less than a handful of historical taonga made with tikumu in the world today, reconnection to tikumu advances Māori reclamation aspirations, particularly for those with whakapapa to alpine areas.

The project brings together a broad range of expertise across communities in te ao Māori, spanning spheres of taiao, mahi toi, te reo Māori, and performing arts. While focussed in Te Tauihu, the project aims to connect its learnings with whānau in other regions where varieties of tikumu can be found, including but not limited to Taranaki, Wairarapa, Ruapehu, Te Tai Poutini, and Waitaha.

Rangatahi Regeneration (RR) is a 7-month kaupapa for rangatahi Māori and Pasifika around Aotearoa which explores in-depth tuakiritanga (identity), facilitation, entrepreneurial whakapapa, design and celebrating indigenous culture.

RR has supported 11 rangatahi from 5 rohe around Aotearoa over 2021-2022 with alumni returning as tuakana. RR invest in a small roopū of rangatahi to lead a high-quality kaupapa with intergenerational impact. RR aims to flip the script in the way organisations traditionally engage with rangatahi in Aotearoa.