How can Māori law be integrated into the LLB as a foundational part of the degree?
Our project is purposively Māori-led. We are a national Māori research academic team, trained in Pākehā law. We value the time spent together to collectively share and present our existing experiences and strategic visions for change.
We prioritise and value kaupapa Māori research methodologies and Indigenous legal methods, which we see as sitting alongside Western legal analysis. We ground our research in a deep respect for Māori law, broader Indigenous legal traditions, He Whakaputanga Declaration of Independence (1835), Te Tiriti o Waitangi (1840) and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007).
Researchers involved in the project
This project is led by Professor Jacinta Ruru and Māori law academics at the six law schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. Due to the generous Michael & Suzanne Borrin Foundation funding, we were able to employ a Research Fellow (position filled by Metiria Turei, March 2019 to January 2022). We have also had the privilege of enabling some young Māori tertiary students and graduates to work with us for short periods of time.
Our research assistants have included:
- Rebekah Bright, Rongawhakaata, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga
- Destiny Katene, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu
- Rahera Douglas, Ngāti Manipoto
- Hinemoana Markham-Nicklin, Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa and Ngāti Pāhauwera
Due to securing a Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga New Zealand Māori Centre of Research Excellence internship, we were thrilled to be able to work with Grace Mohi, Ngāti Kahungunu, in this role in 2021.
In Phase Two we greatly benefited from the expertise of Dr Megan Gollop. Dr Gollop is Deputy Director of the Children's Issues Centre | Manawa Rangahau Tamariki in the Faculty of Law, University of Otago. Dr Gollop contributed significant qualitative and quantitative research skills to this project as a Senior Research Fellow.
Our team
Professor Jacinta RuruMNZM, FRSNZ
Raukawa, Ngāti Ranginui
Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou | University of Otago
Metiria Turei
Ngāti Kahungunu, Ati Hau nui a Pāpārangi
Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou | University of Otago
Honorary Adjunct Professor Carwyn Jones
Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki
Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington
Associate Professor Linda Te Aho
Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Waikato-Tainui
Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato | University of Waikato
Associate Professor Claire Charters
Ngāti Whakaue, Tūwharetoa, Ngāpuhi, Tainui
Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland
Associate Professor Khylee Quince
Te Roroa/Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou
Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau | Auckland University of Technology
Associate Professor Andrew Erueti
Ngā Ruahinerangi, Ngāti Ruanui, Ati Hau Nui A Pāpārangi
Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland
Jayden Houghton
Rereahu Maniapoto
Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland
Associate Professor Robert Joseph
Tainui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne, Ngāi Tahu
Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato | University of Waikato
Maureen Malcolm
Te Arawa Whānui and Ngāti Ruanui
Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland
Adrienne Paul
Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tuhoe
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Mihiata Pirini
Ngāti Tūwharetoa/Whakatōhea
Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou | University of Otago
Associate Professor Māmari Stephens
Te Rarawa
Te Herenga Waka Victoria | University of Wellington
Dr Fleur Te Aho
Ngāti Mutunga
Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland
Professor Valmaine Toki
Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Whātua
Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato | University of Waikato
Tracey Whare
Raukawa, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui
Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland