Pae Tawhiti

Awardee: Mona-Lisa Wareka (Ngātiwai, Ngāti Rereahu), University of Waikato

This research aims towards facilitating transformative change by investigating the impacts and experiences Māori face under current cannabis laws, while examining opinions surrounding potential decriminalisation. This project is significant as it is the first of its kind in Aotearoa, and looks to challenge attitudes surrounding cannabis at an academic level.

This rapid review examined and contributed to the limited understanding of the economic benefits produced by kai sovereignty initiatives in Aotearoa through a te ao Māori lens and kaupapa Māori foundation.

The focus of the project was to co-create and develop creative stories- pūrākau, that reflect the lived experiences of climate impacts from the perspective of rangatahi and whānau participants.

This internship developed a visual identity for Te Ahunga atu ki ngā Ōanga Oranga Māori: Towards Māori Wellbeing Economies, bringing Māori wellbeing economies to life through design.
The work supports whānau aspirations by communicating key research in ways grounded in Te Ao Māori.

This te reo Māori publication shares powerful naming narratives from reo champions who reclaim Māori names as part of their language journeys. Through these stories written entirely in te reo it celebrates identity, resistance, and reo revitalisation, and includes teaching resources for kura kaupapa and wharekura.

Project Summary

This project, Wānanga Rau, Taumata Rau, Pukenga Rau, aims to provide an innovative conceptual toolkit and resources for the Māori Performing Arts community in Aotearoa, New Zealand.