#education: New Co-Director Aims to Bring Māori Research Back to the Heart of Te Tai Tokerau

Newly appointed co-director of Te Whare Rangahau o Himi Henare, the James Henare Research Centre, Dr Maia Hetaraka says her vision is to strengthen the connection between Māori research and the communities it is intended to serve by bringing the Centre closer to the people, knowledge and innovation of Te Tai Tokerau.

A descendant of Ngāti Wai, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Paoa, and Head of the University of Auckland’s Tai Tokerau Campus, Dr Hetaraka says the Centre’s next chapter will focus on supporting research that reflects the aspirations and priorities of northern communities while building stronger relationships between Te Tai Tokerau and Tāmaki Makaurau.

She believes success will be measured by how closely the Centre works alongside iwi, hapū and whānau, ensuring research is community-led, grounded in mātauranga Māori and capable of delivering practical benefits for the people of the North.

Dr Hetaraka says Te Tai Tokerau is already home to significant innovation, leadership and research, much of which deserves greater national recognition. She sees the Centre as a platform for amplifying local voices, sharing Indigenous knowledge and supporting research that responds directly to community needs.

Her appointment also carries deep personal significance, with longstanding whakapapa connections linking the Hetaraka and Henare whānau across generations.

Dr Hetaraka describes the role as a full-circle moment, saying those family relationships reinforce the values of reciprocity, collective responsibility and service that guide her leadership.

She says honouring the legacy of Tā Himi Henare means ensuring the Centre continues to champion Māori excellence, Indigenous knowledge and research that strengthens communities rather than simply producing academic outcomes.

Looking ahead, Dr Hetaraka wants to create more opportunities for rangatahi, emerging Māori researchers and future leaders to become involved in research, education and community development.

She believes investing in the next generation is essential to ensuring Māori continue to shape research agendas and develop solutions grounded in their own knowledge systems and lived experiences.

Dr Hetaraka also draws inspiration from Pūanga, the traditional seasonal marker observed across much of Te Tai Tokerau, describing it as a reminder to reflect, regenerate and prepare carefully for the future.

She says those values offer important lessons for Māori research, encouraging communities to work together, prioritise what matters most and ensure both people and the environment have the time and space to flourish.

As Te Whare Rangahau o Himi Henare enters a new era under the joint leadership of Dr Hetaraka and Dr Piata Allen, the Centre aims to deepen its relationships with Māori communities while strengthening its role as a national leader in Indigenous research and knowledge.

#MāoriResearch #JamesHenareResearchCentre #MaiaHetaraka #TeTaiTokerau #MātaurangaMāori #UniversityOfAuckland #Pūanga #MāoriLeadership #Rangatahi #IndigenousResearch #TeAoMāori #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews