Rongoaa and
Climate Resilience

Te Ahiwaru lead several research projects that are of critical importance to our whaanau and taiao. Through our research we are also actively developing kaimahi and whaanau research capabilities.

Our active research projects include:

1. Matike Mai Te Hiaroa: #ProtectIhumātao (Royal Marsden Research Grant)

2. Toi Tū – Climate Resilience Project (NIWA, Deep South Challenge)

3. Aio – Activating Ihumaatao Rongoaa (MBIE)

Stacey Bishop shares koorero around her mahi as a Kairangahau for Te Ahiwaru

Matike Mai: #ProtectIhumaatao

Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Research

Te Ahiwaru is engaged in an innovative, hapuu-led research project, exploring what happened at Ihumaatao, why it matters and to whom.

Activating a kaupapa Maaori approach, the project aims to centre and amplify whaanau stories/perspectives as well as building capacity to progress our hapuu aspirations for research, education and Tiriti claims.

Funded by a prestigious Marsden grant from the Royal Society Te Apaarangi, the project is supported by the University of Auckland.

The project’s title, Matike Mai Te Hiaroa: #ProtectIhumātao, relates to the long history and cultural narratives of Ihumaatao and Waikato, for whom Hiaroa is a greatly admired ancestor and the sister of well-known Tainui voyager Rakataura. It represents the Indigenous struggle for the return of confiscated whenua. It also evokes Maaori-led action for constitutional transformation – known as Matike Mai – calling for new ways to resolve Tiriti injustice and address Maaori interests.

A critical understanding of what happened at Ihumaatao will help to inform law and policy change related to Tiriti settlements, Crown-Maaori relations, and the protection of Maaori heritage as well as help guide other Indigenous-led political movements.

A key outcome is an accessible hapuu archive on our #ProtectIhumātao campaign for whaanau, researchers, educators, students and interested others. Archivists, curators and e-researchers (at the Turnbull Library, Department of Internal Affairs and University of Auckland) recognise the archive’s national significance and are providing guidance.

Photo © Qiane Matata-Sipu

  • Te Ahiwaru uri Dr Jenny Lee-Morgan, Qiane Matata-Sipu, Pania Newton and Moana Waa are co-leading the projecct. They are working in collaboration with Maaori law philosopher Carwyn Jones and campaign supporters Dr Frances Hancock and Nicola Short. Esteemed Professors Linda Tuhiwai Smith and Tim McCreanor, Archaeologist Dave Veart, and Te Ahiwaru Trust Pou Maatauranga Stephanie Tawha make up the Advisory Group.

  • • 35+ presentations to wide-ranging audiences

    • Archival research on Ihumātao

    • 28 interviews with subject matter experts and SOUL whānau

    • 330+ campaign documents and a large collection of photographs and video content securely stored and ready for review.

    • Resources, publications and media interviews

    • Planning for whānau interviews beginning in August 2023.

    • A work-in-progress PhD on heritage law and planning.

  • Hancock, F., Jones, C., Lee-Morgan, J., McCreanor, Tim., Matata-Sipu, Q., Newton, P., Short, N., and Waa, M. (2022, June). Ihumātao: An explainer. Auckland: Papatoetoe Historical Society Newsletter.

    Matata-Sipu, Q., Newton, P., Hancock, F., Lee-Morgan, J., & Jones. C. (2022). Protecting Ihumātao. In V. Morse, Peace Action: Struggles for a demilitarised and decolonised Oceania and East Asia (pp 37–52). Te Whanganui-A-Tara Wellington: Left of the Equator Press

    Jones, C., Lee-Morgan, J., & Hancock, F. (2021, November 11). Matike Mai Te Hiaroa: Ihumātao and just relationships. [Opinion]. Newsroom