Skip to main content

He pī, ka rere: Māori Early Career Academics in New Zealand Universities

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Early Career Academics in New Zealand: Challenges and Prospects in Comparative Perspective

Abstract

Māori are the Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand. They constitute 15% of the population but are under-represented in university academic appointments, making up just 6% of the total number of academics in New Zealand. Drawing from earlier research on Māori in academia, and the questionnaire data from the wider New Zealand project on all early career academics, this chapter identifies particular experiences and challenges encountered by Māori academics. It outlines their demographic characteristics and prior training and experiences, noting some differences and commonalities with other academics. While it is unrealistic to assume that all Māori early career academics experience their university work in the same way, it is clear that there are particular structural interactions and expectations that make working life for many Māori academics different from that of their colleagues.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Sweet potato.

References

  • Adams, J. (2008). Strategic review of the Performance-Based Research Fund: The assessment process. Wellington: Tertiary Education Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adds, P., Hall, M., Higgins, R., & Higgins, T. (2011). Ask the posts of our house: Using cultural spaces to encourage quality learning in higher education. Teaching in Higher Education, 16(5), 541–551.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Airini, Brown, D., Curtis, E., Johnson, O., Luatua, F., O’Shea, M., Rakena, T., Reynolds, G., Sauni, P., Smith, A., Su’a Huirua, T., Tarawa, M., & Ulugia-Pua, M. (2010). Success for all: Improving Māori and Pasifika student success in degree-level studies. Wellington: Teaching & Learning Research Initiative. http://www.tlri.org.nz/tlri-research/research-completed/post-school-sector/success-all-improving-maori-and-pasifika-student. Accessed 6 Apr 2017.

  • Alton-Lee, A. (2006). How teaching influences learning: Implications for educational researchers, teachers, teacher educators and policy makers. Teaching and Teacher Education, 22(5), 612–626.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, A., Binney, J., & Harris, A. (2014). Tangata whenua: An illustrated history. Wellington: Bridget William Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asmar, C., & Page, S. (2009). Sources of satisfaction and stress among Indigenous academic teachers: Findings from a national Australian study. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 29(3), 387–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asmar, C., Mercier, O. R., & Page, S. (2009). “You do it from your core”: Priorities, perceptions and practices of research among Indigenous academics in Australian and New Zealand universities. In A. Brew & L. Lucas (Eds.), Academic Research and Researchers (pp. 146–160). Maidenhead: McGraw Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Callister, P. (2009). Which tertiary institutions are educating young, low-skill Māori men? A research note. Wellington: Institute of Policy Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Çinlar, N., & Dowse, J. (2008). Human resource trends in the tertiary academic workforce: A working paper contributing to the independent strategic review of the Performance-Based Research Fund. Wellington: Tertiary Education Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coxhead, C. (2006). Assisting Indigenous students to succeed: Let’s start by giving them a safe learning environment. A presentation at the Australasian Law Teachers Association (ALTA) Annual Conference – Legal Knowledge: Learning, Communicating and Doing, Victoria University, Melbourne.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cram, F. (1993). Ethics in Māori research: A working paper. A presentation at the Cultural Justice and Ethics Symposium held at the Annual Conference of the New Zealand Psychological Society, Victoria University of Wellington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Justice. (1989). Principles for crown action on the Treaty of Waitangi. Wellington: Department of Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durie, A. (1995). Kia Hiwa Rā: Challenges for Māori academics in changing times. He Pukenga Kōrero, 1(1), 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durie, M. (2004). Exploring the interface between science and Indigenous knowledge. In 5th APEC Research and Development Leaders Forum. Christchurch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durie, M. (2009). Towards social cohesion: The indigenisation of higher education in New Zealand. In Vice Chancellor’s forum: How far are universities changing and shaping our world? Kuala Lumpur. http://www.universitiesnz.ac.nz/node/418. Accessed 6 Apr 2017.

  • Education Counts. (2016). Profile & trends New Zealand’s annual tertiary education enrolments 2015. Wellington: Ministry of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallhofer, S., Haslam, J., Nam Kim, S., & Mariu, S. (1999). Attracting and retaining Maori students in Accounting: Issues, experiences and ways forward. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 10, 773–807.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gunstone, A. (2008). Australian university approaches to Indigenous policy. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 37, 103–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, M. (2014). Rethinking Māori academic development. Unpublished PhD thesis. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hook, G. (2008). Cultural relativism and academic freedom within the universities of New Zealand. MAI Review, 1, 5. http://web.its.auckland.ac.nz/ojs.review.mai.ac.nz/index.php/MR/article/viewFile/83/111. Accessed 6 Apr 2017.

  • Hook, G. (2010). A national Māori university. MAI Review, 2. http://web.its.auckland.ac.nz/ojs.review.mai.ac.nz/index.php/MR/article/view/296/481. Accessed 6 Apr 2017.

  • Irwin, K. (1997). Becoming an academic: Contradictions and dilemmas of a Māori feminist. In S. Middleton & A. Jones (Eds.), Women and education in Aotearoa 2 (pp. 52–67). Auckland: Auckland University Press/Bridget Williams Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaime, A. (2008). Native women: Decolonization and transcendence of identity. International Journal of Multicultural Education, 10(2), 1–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jefferies, R. (1997). Maori participation in tertiary education: Barriers and strategies to overcome them. Wellington: Te Puni Kōkiri.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, P. (2001). “Watch this spot and whose in it”: Creating space for Indigenous educators? Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 26(1).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ka’ai, T. (1995). Te tātari i te kaupapa. PhD thesis. Hamilton: University of Waikato.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ka’ai, T. (2005). Indigenising the academy: Indigenous scholars as agents of change. A presentation at the 3rd Annual Hawai’i International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI

    Google Scholar 

  • Ka’ai, T. (2008). The role of marae in tertiary education institutions. Te Kaharoa, 1. https://ojs.aut.ac.nz/tekaharoa/index.php/tekaharoa/article/view/142. Accessed 6 Apr 2017.

  • Kawharu, M. (2010, 16 April). Presentation about community and Iwi relationships from a Māori woman academic’s perspective. Paper presented at the MANU AO Leadership Wānanga, The University of Auckland, Auckland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kidman, J., & Chu, C. (2015). Māori scholars and the university. Auckland: Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga. http://www.maramatanga.ac.nz/sites/default/files/project-reports/Kidman%20Chu%20Fernandez%20Abella-%20Maori%20Scholars%20Final%20report%202015.pdf. Accessed 6 Apr 2017.

  • Kukutai, T., & Webber, M. (2011). Navigating the “space between”: Authenticity and identity in ‘Māori’ social science. Sociology, 26, 4–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, S. (2007). Māori writing retreats: Advancing Māori postgraduates. Paper presented at the Association of Tertiary Learning Advisors of Aotearoa New Zealand Conference 2006, Auckland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mane, J. (2009). Kaupapa Māori: A community approach. MAI Review, 3. http://www.review.mai.ac.nz/index.php/MR/article/viewFile/243/282. Accessed 6 Apr 2017.

  • Manuel, R., Dunphy, C., & Hema, G. (2011). Tuākana learning community: Enhancing academic success for Māori and Pasifika students. A presentation at HERDSA 2011: Higher Education on the Edge, Gold Coast, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKinley, E. (2002). Brown bodies in white coats: Maori women scientists and identity. Journal of Occupational Science, 9(3), 109–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mead, L. T. (1996). Ngā aho o te kākahu mātauranga: The multiple layers of struggle by Māori in education. Auckland: University of Auckland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mead, S. M. (1997). Landmarks, bridges and visions: Aspects of Maori culture. Wellington: Victoria University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mercier, O. R., Asmar, C., & Page, S. (2011). An academic occupation: Mobilisation, sit-in, speaking out and confrontation in the experiences of Māori academics. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 40, 81–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Middleton, S., & McKinley, E. (2010). The gown and the korowai: Māori doctoral students and the spatial organisation of academic knowledge. Higher Education Research and Development, 29(3), 229–243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mikaere, A. (1998). Taku titiro: Viewpoint: Rhetoric, reality and recrimination: Striving to fulfill the bicultural commitment at Waikato Law School. He Pūkenga Kōrero: A Journal of Māori Studies, 3(2), 4–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moeke-Pickering, T., Hardy, S., Manitowabi, S., Mawhiney, A., Faries, E., Gibson-van Marrewijk, K., Tobias, N., & Taitoko, M. (2006). Keeping our fire alive: Towards decolonising research in the academic setting. WINHEC (World Indigenous Higher Education Consortium) Journal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, D.L. (2003). Appropriation, appreciation, accommodation: Indigenous wisdoms and knowledges in higher education. In M. Bray (Ed.), Comparative education: Continuing traditions, new challenges, and new paradigms (pp. 35-49). Dordrecht: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, A. (1999). Space for Māori in tertiary institutions: Exploring two sites at the University of Auckland. Master’s thesis. Auckland: University of Auckland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, A. (2000). Space for Māori in tertiary institutions. A presentation at the Fourth Pacific Rim-First Year in Higher Education Conference: Creating Futures for a New Millennium, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakata, M. (2007). Disciplining the savages, savaging the disciplines. Canberra: Aboriginal Studies Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakata, M., Nakata, V., Keech, S., & Bolt, R. (2012). Decolonial goals and pedagogies for Indigenous Studies. Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education & Society, 1(1), 120–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nana, G., Stokes, F., & Lynn, A. (2010). Academic workforce planning: Towards 2020. Report to Universities New Zealand Human Resources Committee Steering Group. Wellington: Universities New Zealand.

    Google Scholar 

  • New Zealand History (n.d.). The Treaty in brief. http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/treaty/the-treaty-in-brief. Accessed 6 Apr 2017.

  • Nikora, L., Levy, M., Henry, J., & Whangapirita, L. (2002). Addressing the recruitment and retention of Maori students in tertiary education institutions: A literature review. Prepared for the Ministry of Health: Māori & Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato.

    Google Scholar 

  • Page, S., & Asmar, C. (2008). Beneath the teaching iceberg: Exposing the hidden support dimensions of Indigenous academic work. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 37 (Suppl.), 109–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pohatu, G. (1998). The university, Maori studies and Treaty praxis. PhD thesis. Dunedin: University of Otago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ratima, M. (2008). Making space for kaupapa Māori within the academy. MAI Review, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roa, T., & Tuaupiki, J. (2005). Tikanga Tainui; Tikanga Whare Wananga. He Puna Kōrero, 6(2).

    Google Scholar 

  • Roa, T., Beggs, J. R., Williams, J., & Moller, H. (2009). New Zealand’s Performance Based Research Funding (PBRF) model undermines Māori research. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 39(4), 233–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robust, T. (2007). Developing Indigenous infrastructure in the university: Another era or another error? MAI Review, 1. http://www.review.mai.ac.nz/index.php/MR/article/view/31. Accessed 6 Apr 2017.

  • Ross, C. (2008). Culturally relevant peer support for Māori and Pasifika student engagement, retention and success. Wellington: Ako Aotearoa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Royal, T. C. (2012). Politics and knowledge: Kaupapa Maori and matauranga Maori. New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies, 47(2), 30–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, L.T. (1992). Ko taku ko ta te Maori: The dilemma of a Maori academic. A presentation at the NZARE/AARE Joint Conference, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, C. (2000). Straying beyond the boundaries of belief: Māori epistemologies inside the curriculum. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 32(1), 43–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, G. H. (2011). MANU AO seminar – Transforming education. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorrenson, M. (1996a). Buck, Peter Henry. In The dictionary of New Zealand biography, Te Ara the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Wellington: Ministry of Culture and Heritage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorrenson, M. (1996b). Ngata, Apirana Turupa. In The dictionary of New Zealand biography, Te Ara the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Wellington: Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Statistics New Zealand. (2015). New Zealand census 2013: Major ethnic groups in New Zealand. Wellington: Statistics New Zealand.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart-Harawira, M. (2007). Practicing Indigenous feminism: Resistance to imperialism. In J. Green (Ed.), Making space for indigenous feminisms. Fernwood: Zed Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sue, D. W. (Ed.). (2010). Microaggressions and marginality: Manifestations, dynamics, and impact. Hoboken: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutherland, K. A., Wilson, M., & Williams, P. (2013). Success in Academia? The experiences of early career academics in New Zealand universities. Wellington: Ako Aotearoa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tawhai, V., Pihera, K., & Bruce-Ferguson, P. (2004). Does the PBRF need reshaping? A new Māori educational institution’s perspective. A presentation at the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA) Conference, Sarawak.

    Google Scholar 

  • Te Hiwi, E. (2007). Disrupted spaces: Racism and the lived experience of Māori identity formation. In Proceedings of the 2007 National Māori and Pacific Psychologies Symposium. Hamilton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tertiary Education Commission. (2014). Tertiary education strategy 2014–2019. Wellington: Tertiary Education Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Villegas, M. (2010). 500 Māori PhDs in five years: Insights from a successful Indigenous higher education initiative. Doctor of education thesis. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webber, M. (2009). The multiple selves and realities of a Māori researcher. MAI Review, 1. http://www.review.mai.ac.nz/index.php/MR/article/view/195. Accessed 6 Apr 2017.

  • White, P., & Grice, J. (2008). Participation and performance by Māori and Pacific peoples researchers in the Performance-Based Research Fund, 2003–2006: A working paper contributing to the strategic review of the Performance-Based Research Fund. Wellington: Tertiary Education Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, H., Oxenham, T., Tahana, M., Williams, K., & Matthews, K. (2009). Ma te huruhuru ka rere te manu: How can langauge and literacy be optimised for Maori learner success? In Education counts. Wellington: Ministry of Education.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kathryn A. Sutherland .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hall, M., Sutherland, K.A. (2018). He pī, ka rere: Māori Early Career Academics in New Zealand Universities. In: Early Career Academics in New Zealand: Challenges and Prospects in Comparative Perspective. The Changing Academy – The Changing Academic Profession in International Comparative Perspective, vol 20. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61830-2_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61830-2_7

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-61829-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-61830-2

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics