Māori and Indigenous Doctoral Conference 2022

Aotearoa’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, offers an annual doctoral conference, Te Kupenga o MAI, Māori and Indigenous Scholar Network.

The conference is designed for the advancement the Māori and Indigenous post-graduate students throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

This year, we were invited to attend the conference with a cohort of MDHS Indigenous PhD candidates and participate in the three-day gathering.

MDHS PhD scholars Keely Walsh and Joanne Luke attended the conference with Indigenous Graduate Program Coordinator Amba-Rose Atkinson and Poche Director Associate Professor Shawana Andrews.

“The MAI conference was a great opportunity to share, connect and learn together with other students on similar journeys,” Joanne reflected.

Hosted by Unitec Institute of Technology’s Ngā Wai a Te Tūī Māori and Indigenous Research Centre at the Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae in Auckland, the conference offered doctoral students the opportunity to share their research journey and explore the challenges, benefits and opportunities of PhD scholarship, while building networks.

“For me, the MAI Conference was about creating and sustaining connections with our neighbouring countries.

“It was an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the amazing achievements of Māori and Indigenous students, promoting their work and research contributions to First Nations.

“I would highly recommend attending,” Keely reflected.

As a national network of key sites, Te Kupenga o MAI network forms an integral part of Te Pae Whakatairanga Hiranga, the Capability Building programme of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga.

“With representation of Indigenous PhD scholars from across Aotearoa, as well as several groups from Australia and Hawaii, we were privy to the critical Indigenous scholarship that is happening around the world”.

Relationships is one of three themes that contextualise and guide our work and invitations like this are a wonderful opportunity to build connections with international scholars and learn from their intellectual endeavours,” Associate Professor Shawana reflected.

Photo L-R: Poche Indigenous Research Program Coordinator Amba-Rose Atkinson, Poche Director Associate Professor Shawana Andrews, PhD Candidate Joanne Luke and PhD Candidate Keely Walsh.