Kiri Parata, a PhD candidate with Te Pūtahi a Toi, Massey University is feeling humbled to have received a career development award from the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC). “Having heard about previous recipients of this award, I'm still pinching myself that I have been considered alongside these academics.”
The Māori Health Research PhD Scholarship awarded to Parata will make a significant contribution to her study Hoki ki te ūkaipō – whenua and hauora: an exploration of whānau, whenua and restoration.
Parata is exploring notions of connection to and engagement with whenua tūpuna (ancestral lands) and the potential to support whānau to flourish while enhancing wellbeing.
Studies will be based on her whānau whenua, Pukehuia, in Waikanae on the Kāpiti Coast where alongside her siblings and wider whānau they have created a long-term plan for intergenerational advancement through their relationship with the whenua. “Having been alienated from our ancestral lands for generations, we now have opportunities to consider the values passed down from our ancestors as we apply these to our decision-making and engagement with the whenua” said Parata.
For Parata, post graduate study comes after many years working alongside her role models and friends at Whakauae Research for Māori Health and Development, based in Whanganui. As an independent contractor Parata has led several evaluations and participated in kaupapa Māori research working to improve Māori health outcomes with the team at Whakauae.
Parata's doctoral studies on Pukehuia build on previous research she has led with her iwi, Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai. The doctoral study will sit within a broader programme of Māori health research being undertaken by Whakauae entitled Kia puāwai ake ngā uri whakatupu: Flourishing future generations which received a $5 million grant from the HRC to explore solutions for improving health outcomes for Māori, Developing the knowledge for a health system shift towards equity | Health Research Council of New Zealand (hrc.govt.nz). Parata will be working in the role of Programme Manager for this significant research programme, while undertaking her PhD.
With its annual Career Development Awards, the Health Research Council fosters and builds research capacity and capability throughout Aotearoa.
“Having a strong and diverse health research workforce is imperative to improving health and wellbeing for all New Zealanders,” says Le-Shan Pomana-Wesley, HRC Manager of Māori Health Research.
“Strengthening the Māori workforce is key to building mātauranga Māori and advancing the development and dissemination of Māori health research. We're proud to support research like Kiri's that aims to improve wellbeing and help local communities flourish.”
For further information contact Kiri Parata by email or phone +61423162992 (Aus).
