Doctoral study in Indigenisation

Indigenisation encompasses the integration of Indigenous knowledge, epistemologies and research that engages with Indigenous peoples. As Te Kawehau Hoskins and Alison Jones (2023) argue, a path towards indigenisation creates rich opportunities. Indigenisation within Aotearoa New Zealand invites the utilisation of Māori terms that stand for relational aspirations. For example, terms such as whanaungatanga (relationality) and manaakitanga (respect and generosity for others) affirm that the mana (authority) of others is to be upheld. Indigenisation also extends to the knowledge systems of other groups, such as Pasifika and Asian New Zealanders, as well as incorporating international connections – examining Indigenous epistemologies, movements and language revitalisation contexts around the world.

Indigenisation research can be viewed as transdisciplinary where scholars from a range of disciplines work collaboratively, acknowledging and respecting Indigenous perspectives.

When you join us for your doctorate in Indigenisation, you will join a high-calibre research community, have the opportunity to publish papers, attend international conferences and develop your network in academia.

Pursue your topic with us and benefit from exceptional standards of support and supervision from nationally and internationally recognised researchers in the following broad research areas:

Decolonisation

Louisa Allen, Tim Baice, Laura Ann Chubb, Helene Connor, Kendra Cox, Tania Cliffe-Tautari, Esther Fitzpatrick, David Fa'avae, Camilla Highfield, Maia Hetaraka, Eileen Joy, Deidre Le Fevre, Hayley McGlashan-Fainu, Rāhera Meinders, Stephen May, Barbara Ormond, And Pasley, Brian Rodgers, Ritesh Shah, Sean Sturm, Tony Trinick, Jean Uasike Allen, Ema Wolfgramm-Foliaki, Melinda Webber, Ying Wang

Hauora

Louisa Allen, Kendra Cox, Tania Cliffe-Tautari, Maia Hetaraka, Deidre Le Fevre, Hayley McGlashan-Fainu, Roberto McLeay, Alan Ovens, And Pasley, Darren Powell, Matt Rankine, Jean Uasike Allen, Ema Wolfgramm-Foliaki, Melinda Webber

Indigenous language education

Piata Allen, Tania Cliffe-Tautari, Rosemary Erlam, Rāhera Meinders, Sarah McRobie, Stephen May, Tauwehe Tamati, Tony Trinick, Ema Wolfgramm-Foliaki

Self-determination

Tania Cliffe-Tautari, Maia Hetaraka, Roberto McLeay, And Pasley, Tony Trinick, Ema Wolfgramm-Foliaki

Māori focus

'Student success: What matters most for high achieving Māori and non-Māori students at secondary school?' | Supervised by Professor Christine Rubie-Davies and Professor Melinda Webber

'Uruuru Whenua: Using Cultural Symmetry to Rebalance Mātauranga and School Mathematics' | Supervised by Professor Tony Trinick and Professor Stephen May

'Te Kauae Tuku Iho; Inheriting the Sacred Jawbone: Re-imagining Māori cultural competence in education by engaging the wisdom of indigenous knowledge keepers' | Supervised by Professor Katie Fitzpatrick and Dame Cindy Kiro

'Toi Ora, Whānau Ora: The Therapeutic Benefits of Creating Māori Art' | Supervised by Dr Helene Connor and Professor Tony Trinick

'An Approach to Embracing Indigenous Financial Wellbeing: Wāhine Māori Transitioning From Economic Precarity and Trauma' | Supervised by Michael O'Brien, Dr Helene Connor and Professor Toni Bruce

'Hinenuitepō, Nui Te Ao Mana Tinana, Mana Mōmona A Fat Wāhine Māori Pūrākau of Body Sovereignty' | Supervised by Professor Tracey McIntosh, Dr Jade Le Grice, Professor Melinda Webber and Dr Cat Pausé

'Kua takoto te mānuka: Cultural identity as a resilience factor to reduce Māori youth offending' | Supervised by Professor Melinda Webber and Dame Cindy Kiro

Pasifika focus

'Culturally Responsive, Sustaining and Safe Youth Mentoring Practice in Aotearoa New Zealand - A Va Relational Approach' | Supervised by Professor Melinda Webber and Associate Professor Pat Bullen

'Developing Moana Educational Identities Through Digital Storytelling and Counter-Storytelling Explorations' | Supervised by Professor Rebecca Jesson

'Koloa Fufū ‘a e Fefine Tonga: Identifying Intergenerational Cultural Values of Tongan Women in Aotearoa New Zealand, and Exploring Their Contribution to the Secondary School Education of Tongan Girls' | Supervised by Professor Barbara Kensington-Miller and Dr 'Ema Wolfgramm-Foliaki

'O le ā le Matāfaioi o le Fono a le Āiga ma le Fono a le Lotu i le Fa'atumau ai o le Gagana Samoa i Niu Sila? What is the Role of Family Fono and Church Fono in the Maintenance of Samoan Language in New Zealand?' | Supervised by Dr Meaola Amituanai-Toloa and Professor Stuart McNaughton

'The Laei Samoa Framework: Exploring the Long-Term Impacts of Samoan Bilingual/Immersion Education on the Lives of Samoan Graduates' | Supervised by Professor Melinda Webber, Professor Tony Trinick and Dr Rae Si'ilata

Others, including intercultural focus

'Be(com)ing Ethically Responsible Relations: Asian Communities and Te Tiriti o Waitangi' | Supervised by Professor Stephen May and Professor Te Kawehau Hoskins

'Looking from Níłtsą́ bi'áád: A Diné Perspective of Disability and Ontologies of Being' | Supervised by Professor Te Kawehau Hoskins, Professor Melinda Webber and Professor Missy Morton

'Weaving an identity across two worlds: An educational exploration of growing up Māori-Pākehā in Aotearoa-New Zealand' | Supervised by Professor Melinda Webber

'Towards Transformative Practice: Rediscovering the Pākehā Educator, Settler-Self Through Critical Autoethnography, Critical Family History and Arts-Based Methods' | Supervised by Dr Esther Fitzpatrick and Dr Avril Bell

There are several scholarships you may be eligible for when you decide to pursue your doctoral studies in Indigenisation.

• University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarships
• Faculty of Arts Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Scholarship - The University of Auckland
• The Jackson Family Foundation Scholarship