Ngā tikanga Māori o te rangahau Tikanga Māori and research

Guidance to help researchers understand tikanga Māori (Māori customs and protocols) in the research environment.

Māori research at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is underpinned by:

Through these, we actively uphold our Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments by embedding mātauranga Māori, place-based identity, Māori values including kaitiakitanga (in relation to our ethical and data sovereignty obligations) and whai wāhi (in relation to Māori participation in research), and respectful partnership with Māori.

It is important that all researchers at the University understand what mātauranga Māori and tikanga Māori look like in the research context, apply culturally safe practices to ensure the integrity of their research, and know how to respond appropriately to both internal and external expectations for research, including Vision Mātauranga policy.

We encourage all our research staff and students to consider the ways they can integrate mātauranga Māori and tikanga Māori into their research and research-related activities.

Support for researchers

Te Kōhure Research Office provides support for:

  • Vision Mātauranga as part of grant applications and the Mātauranga Māori Research Fund to develop capacity in mātauranga Māori and kaupapa Māori research and strengthen research-based relationships with Māori.
  • Human ethics which requires all applicants to give full and thoughtful consideration to how the research conforms to Te Tiriti o Waitangi Statute.

Te Tari o Te Tumu Ahurei—Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori provides strategic leadership to increase engagement with Māori knowledge and people in research contexts. It supports Māori staff and Māori student achievement, and hosts workshops and training sessions to help researchers integrate mātauranga Māori into their work and incorporate Māori people and ideas into their various aspects and stages of research.

Other resources

The Iho Māori—Māori at Te Herenga Waka webpage provides important information and resources including Te Herenga Waka Marae, Te Kawa a Māui—The School of Māori Studies. Te Kawa a Māui specialises in teaching and research on Māori and Indigenous worlds. The page also includes practical resources including tikanga tips, how to use more reo Māori in your everyday interactions and emails, and a guide to Te Tiriti o Waitangi Statute.

Te Hāpai is the University’s internal staff development programme designed to increase understanding and use of Māori culture, language and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

You can read research by one of our doctoral students about the importance of applying Te Tiriti and tikanga in today's workforce.