Last week, we held a farewell morning tea for Professor John Broughton (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu Ki Heretaunga), who has now retired from his position in the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM).
Prof Broughton, CNZM, took up a position in PSM as Lecturer in Māori Health in 1989, in order to introduce and develop a Hauora Māori curriculum in the health professional courses. John was also the establishment Director of the Ngāi Tahu Māori Health Research Unit in 1996.
He has held appointments in both PSM and the Faculty of Dentistry, was awarded a PhD in 2006, and was promoted to Professor in 2012. He has contributed to many events, conferences, and meetings and participated in every graduation ceremony since 1996. He is a member of the University's Treaty of Waitangi Committee, and the Associate Dean Māori for the Faculty of Dentistry.
A highlight of his research was the International Collaborative Indigenous Health Research Partnership, which received $2.3M of HRC funding in 2010, to carry out a multi-national study called “Reducing disease burden and health inequalities arising from chronic dental disease among Indigenous children: an early childhood caries intervention".
John has been awarded the status of Emeritus Professor for his distinguished and long service to the University of Otago. Conferment of the title Emeritus Professor is restricted to those who are deemed to have made a distinguished contribution to teaching and research in their chosen academic field, and in service to the University in general.
We at the NTMHRU are certainly very thankful to John for his contribution to Māori health, specifically within oranga niho (dental health), as well as the establishment, development and support of the NTMHRU.
Hapaitia te ara tika pūmau ai te rangatirtanga mō ngā uri whakatipu.
Foster the pathway of knowledge to strength, independence and growth for future generations. 