The naming ceremony for our new Ngā Wai a Te Tūī Māori Research Centre
Artworks depicting tui in Unitec’s pā harakeke painted by artist and Maia Māori Centre lecturer Hohepa Renata, grace the walls of the newly-opened Ngā Wai a Te Tūī Māori Research Centre – B002.
The name was gifted to Research Centre head Jenny Lee-Morgan and her team by Kaumatua Wairangi Dr Haare Williams, our former Pae Arahi, and the first Māori Advisor to the Chief Executive. It symbolises the centre’s connection with the surrounding land, including the Puna (stream), that runs through Mt Albert campus as well as the wider West Auckland community.
Professor Jenny Lee-Morgan (Waikato-Tainui) brings a wealth of experience and mana to her role after prestigious stints in the community, tertiary and business sectors, but says that her involvement in the new Māori research centre is one of the proudest moments of her professional career.
Understanding that research has been a powerful tool of colonisation in the past, it is critical to progress Kaupapa Māori research today. “It helps re-frame how we’re talked about and referenced”, says Jenny. “It’s important that Māori are able to assert the Māori perspective and understand the true value of it”.
Through the centre’s research projects, Jenny says they’re working to reclaim Mātauranga Māori — goals, aspirations and issues from an indigenous perspective — and using Māori concepts, knowledge, theories and practice to think about and solve contemporary issues in society. She’s not interested in research for research’s sake. It must address people’s needs, improve conditions, and enhance lives, she says.
“Our success as a Kaupapa Māori research centre will be measured in the way whānau, hapū, iwi and communities value the research we do,” says Jenny. “It’s useful at a basic level – it helps give a voice to Māori. But it also goes much wider than that through the presentation of world views and experiences, a commitment to finding innovative solutions, or finding a way to voice protest to specific ideas or ways to intervene in complex issues.”
Jenny is immensely proud of her launch team which includes prominent researchers Irene Kereama-Royal – Research Partner – Rangahau Maori and Development Tuapapa Rangahau, Rau Hoskins – Architecture Lecturer, Rihi Tenana – Researcher Tuapapa Rangahau and Dr Tia Reihana – Researcher Tuapapa Rangahau, but looks set to grow as they collaborate with others on more projects. Jenny says the key strengths of an effective researcher are agility, responsiveness, engagement and an awareness of how research is part of teaching and learning. The concept of rangahau (research) is how it can help weave together a range of different perspectives to select the pathway best suited.
“It’s important to have Māori researchers involved because of their cultural connectedness and a belief that we can find answers to our problems.”
You get the sense with Jenny that work doesn’t often shut off. Together with her partner Eruera Lee-Morgan, they have a blended family of seven children, aged from 23 down to 8, and an adored mokopuna who’s nearly one. She continues to provide service to the wider academic community such as examining PhD theses and reviewing articles, and has managed to take part in the recent Aotearoa Bike Challenge, cycling from her home in Point Chev to Unitec and back each day.
Jenny recently spoke to Waatea Radio about her vision for the Māori Research Centre. You can listen to the interview here.