Head of UOC's Department of Māori Indigenous Health Innovation (MIHI) Dr Maira Patu, presenting at the Matariki Rangahau Series event at the campus's Rolleston Theatre.
The University of Otago, Christchurch campus, showcased its mahi and manaakitanga last Friday as first-time hosts of the Matariki Rangahau Series (MRS), an annual event celebrating Māori health research and researchers in Aotearoa New Zealand.
UOC Dean and Head of Campus Professor Suzanne Pitama (Ngāti Kahungunu) says it was an honour for the Christchurch campus to host this celebrated Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand-organised meeting. Last week’s event was the fourth and final event for 2024, following MRS events in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington in June and early August.
The MRS aligns with the cultural significance of Matariki – a time of reflection, renewal and community gathering.
Launched in 2022, it aims to foster unity, collaboration and the sharing of indigenous knowledge among researchers, healthcare professionals and policy makers.
The theme for UOC’s MRS day-long event was ‘Translational Research and Data Advocacy’ – the process of translating research findings into practical, clinical applications to improve Māori and Pacific patient outcomes.
Researchers from across the motu were welcomed to the Rolleston Theatre with a mihi whakatau from Te Marino Lenihan (Kāti Māmoe/Ngai Tahu), followed by a welcome from Professor Pitama.
Both acknowledged the recent passing of the Māori King, Kiingi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII, expressing their condolences to his whānau, the followers of Te Kiingitanga, Māoridom and the people of Aotearoa, with Professor Pitama heralding the late King’s leadership and encouragement of political discourse.
The day was divided into three streams, each with a keynote speaker and two to three presentations, interspersed with breaks for kai and kōrero as well as a lunchtime breakout session.
University of Otago public health researcher Professor Sue Crengle delivering her keynote address.
The morning session keynote speaker was respected University of Otago public health researcher and GP Professor Sue Crengle (Kāti Māmoe/Kāi Tahu and Waitaha), who addressed advancements and challenges in applying research findings to real-world settings, sharing research mahi identifying where and how inequities in health occur, and potential pathways to help eliminate them.
Two of the three presentations to follow in Session 1 showcased mahi from UOC researchers, both from MIHI (the Department of Māori Indigenous Health Innovation). Head of MIHI, Dr Maira Patu (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha and Te Arawa) shared findings from the department’s successful Covid-19 vaccine outreach clinic work during the pandemic, while emerging researcher Mau Te Rangimarie Clark (Tainui/Ngāti Pikiao/Ngāti Kahungunu) presented findings from his recent research exploring the lived experiences of Māori with eating disorders.
Experienced government health advisor Laura Aileone rounded out the first session with a presentation outlining the implementation of a model of change for health delivery on the West Coast of Te Waipounamu, explaining the rationale behind it and the learnings from its implementation.
Associate Professor Sacha McMeeking (Kāi Tahu) from the University of Canterbury kicked off the second session with a keynote address giving a comprehensive guide to the role of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in policy, discussing the role of existential stealth and introducing a well-being framework to inform policy development.
Associate Dean Māori and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Population Health Dr Christina McKercher (Ngāti Kahungunu/Ngāti Porou/Ngāi Tūhoe) gave one of two Session 2 presentations to follow, sharing research mahi on food security and food sovereignty, including policies to support whānau to eat healthy, sustainable kai.
University of Canterbury Māori health researcher Associate Professor Annabel Ahuriri-Driscoll (Ngāti Porou/Ngāti Raukawa/Ngāti Kahungunu) completed the session, discussing the unique nuances of Te Tiriti justice and closed adoption.
The third and final session of the day, spearheaded by University of Auckland public health medicine specialist, Associate Professor Elana Curtis (Te Arawa), focussed on data as a tool for advocacy. She explained how data can be leveraged to advocate for hauora Māori by highlighting effective strategies and tools, and also delivered a presentation on five data myths that had the crowd captured.
Public health physician and strong advocate for Māori cancer policy advancement, Dr Nina Scott (Ngāpuhi/Ngāti Whātua/Waikato), shared advocacy efforts currently underway to extend the lowest age of the National Bowel Screening Programme to 50 years (from 60 years) for Māori, which, despite a 2022 Labour government commitment to roll out, has still not been implemented.
The day’s final speaker also showcased UOC research, with biostatistician and computational scientist associate Professor John Pearson opining that while Māori researchers are successfully driving change in research methodology, headwinds lie ahead, particularly in the area of quantitative research. He discussed considerations for researchers in the advocacy for data sovereignty.