04062026 Luke Rowe
A rising Māori researcher is set to take his work on sport, mental health and indigenous wellbeing to the international stage after being named the recipient of the 2026 Fulbright–Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Scholar Award.
Luke Rowe (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa-ki-te-tonga) has been recognised for his research exploring the powerful connections between sport, mental health and indigenous identity, an area he believes holds significant potential for improving wellbeing outcomes for Māori and indigenous communities around the world.
The prestigious award will support Rowe’s research journey in the United States, where he will have the opportunity to engage with leading academics, indigenous scholars and community organisations working at the intersection of health, culture and sport.
Rowe says his interest in the subject stems from the important role sport plays in many Māori communities, not only as a vehicle for physical activity but also as a source of identity, belonging, connection and resilience.
For many indigenous communities, sport serves as more than competition. It creates opportunities to strengthen cultural pride, build social networks and foster positive mental wellbeing, particularly among rangatahi.
Research increasingly highlights the benefits of participation in sport and recreation for reducing isolation, strengthening self-esteem and supporting emotional and psychological health.
Rowe believes those benefits can be amplified when sporting environments are culturally grounded and reflect indigenous values, knowledge and ways of being.
His research seeks to better understand how sport can contribute to positive mental health outcomes while also supporting cultural identity and community wellbeing.
The Fulbright experience is expected to broaden the scope of his work by providing access to indigenous communities and researchers overseas who are confronting similar challenges around mental health, identity and social wellbeing.
Rowe says the opportunity will allow him to build international networks and explore how indigenous-led approaches are being used in different contexts to improve outcomes for young people and communities.
He hopes the knowledge gained through the scholarship will ultimately benefit Māori communities back home by informing programmes, policies and practices that place culture and connection at the centre of wellbeing initiatives.
The research also has implications beyond the sporting field.
Rowe says policymakers, educators, health providers and sporting organisations all have a role to play in recognising the contribution sport can make to holistic wellbeing.
By demonstrating the links between participation, cultural identity and mental health, he hopes his work will encourage greater investment in indigenous-led sporting initiatives and more culturally responsive approaches to wellbeing.
Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga says the award reflects the growing importance of indigenous research that addresses real-world challenges while drawing on the strengths and knowledge of indigenous communities.
As Māori continue to seek innovative ways to improve health and wellbeing outcomes, Rowe’s research highlights the potential of sport not just as a game, but as a pathway to stronger communities, healthier minds and a more connected future.
