Māori Knowledge and Development
Victoria is New Zealand’s leading university for research into Māori knowledge and development, and a partner in Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga: The National Institute of Research Excellence for Māori Development & Advancement. Māori research is as much a method of study as an area of study, and across the University, we have researchers working on a diverse range of Māori research projects, many of which are collaborations with iwi, Māori asset holders and other Māori stakeholder groups.
Researchers in Te Kawa a Māui, Victoria’s School of Māori Studies, study topics relating to the Treaty of Waitangi, Māori science, Māori performing arts, tikanga tuku iho, the revitalisation of te reo Māori and Māori literature in English. The Treaty of Waitangi Research Unit is dedicated to research related to the Treaty.
Staff at the Jessie Hetherington Centre for Educational Research and He Pārekereke / Te Kura Māori research education topics, including Māori-medium education and improving educational aspiration and achievements for Māori children. Staff in Māori business work on areas of better governance and working relationships between Māori and Crown agencies, sustainability in Māori business, as well as topics relating to intellectual property rights. Our Māori law researchers work on issues relevant to Māori in diverse areas around Treaty claims through to Māori interpretations of the law through te reo Māori.
The University’s Māori Research Network highlights, shares and supports Māori research at Victoria, and Toihuarewa, the University’s Māori academic forum, holds regular workshops and an annual research symposium and hosts international scholars.
Find out more about specific Māori research projects:
Dr Maria Bargh’s survey of Māori in Australia gained responses from all over the country. Graphic by Sarsga-Leigh Douglas
Māori in Australia Disengaged With Politics
Māori living in Australia are increasingly disengaged with politics, says Māori Studies lecturer and political scientist Dr Maria Bargh.
In her recent survey of the voting habits of Māori living in Australia, 72% of respondents stated they did not vote in the 2008 New Zealand election. In addition, 79% of respondents stated that they were not aware that there is a referendum on the voting system in New Zealand this year.
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Māmari Stephens (standing) with, from left to right, Dr Mary Boyce from the University of Hawai'i and Tai Ahu and Dulce Piacentini from the Faculty of Law.
New Dictionary of Legal Māori Terms
A Victoria University team is compiling the first ever dictionary of legal Māori terms.
“The dictionary will assist Māori speakers to practice law, draft agreements, or write, teach and talk about law,” says Māmari Stephens, from Victoria’s Faculty of Law, who is leading the team.
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