The Mana Wāhine Creative Research hui brought together kaimahi, ākonga, and indigenous colleagues for an evening of creative scholarship, whakawhānaungatanga, and rich kōrero.

Held on Tuesday in Pūkenga, Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae, the gathering provided an important opportunity for Unitec to engage with our Indigenous visitors attending the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE) 2025 in Tāmaki Makaurau this week.

The event showcased two Kaupapa Māori, Mana Wāhine–led creative research projects led by Associate Professor Deb Heke (Director, Ngā Wai a Te Tūī) and Associate Professor Hinekura Smith.

These projects embody the depth and diversity of Indigenous research methodologies, highlighting the power of creative practice as a mode of inquiry, expression, and community engagement.

He Kahu Kōrero – Cloaks that Speak
Associate Professor Hinekura Smith presented He Kahu Kōrero, a short film described as a love letter to mokopuna. Emerging from a two-year community education research project, the film documents a community-led ‘fashion show’ featuring whatu kākahu (handwoven cloaks) created by whānau for their tamariki and mokopuna. Each cloak is accompanied by a written love letter articulating aspirations for cultural pride, identity, and reo Māori flourishing.


Ngā Pou Māreikura
Associate Professor Deb Heke introduced Ngā Pou Māreikura, an interactive, multi-sensory exhibition developed with artists Shivani Karan and Jordan Tane. The immersive installation features illustrated and animated pou designed to spark reflection, dialogue, and community engagement around wellbeing, identity, and belonging.

“Tuesday night’s event hosted by Ngā Wai a Te Tūi welcomed a range of local community and school leaders, and WIPCE attendees,” Assoc. Prof. Smith remarked.

  • Dharawal (New South Wales) school leaders, language teachers including two of their elders.
  • Ojibwe Annishanabe  (Canada) – Ojibwe language immersion school teachers; principal
  • Te Uru Karaka Newton Central Primary school leaders including deputy principal.
  • TLRI research project participants from a community of practice whatu (cloak weaving) group
  • Kanaka Maoli (Hawaii) staying at Te Noho Kotahitanga
  • Youth representatives and PhD students from Purangakura Māori Research Centre

The hui affirmed the strength of Mana Wāhine research and reinforced the value of creative methodologies in cultivating Indigenous connections across communities and institutions.