{"id":3646,"date":"2025-11-26T10:55:53","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T21:55:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unitec.ac.nz\/UnitecResearchBlog\/?p=3646"},"modified":"2025-11-26T10:55:53","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T21:55:53","slug":"creative-research-hui-strengthens-indigenous-connections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unitec.ac.nz\/UnitecResearchBlog\/index.php\/creative-research-hui-strengthens-indigenous-connections\/","title":{"rendered":"Creative Research Hui strengthens Indigenous Connections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Mana W\u0101hine Creative Research hui brought together kaimahi, \u0101konga, and indigenous colleagues for an evening of creative scholarship, whakawh\u0101naungatanga, and rich k\u014drero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Held on Tuesday in P\u016bkenga, Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae, the gathering provided an important opportunity for Unitec to engage with our Indigenous visitors attending the World Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Conference on Education (WIPCE) 2025 in T\u0101maki Makaurau this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event showcased two Kaupapa M\u0101ori, Mana W\u0101hine\u2013led creative research projects led by Associate Professor Deb Heke (Director, Ng\u0101 Wai a Te T\u016b\u012b) and Associate Professor Hinekura Smith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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He Kahu K\u014drero \u2013 Cloaks that Speak<\/strong>
Associate Professor Hinekura Smith presented He Kahu K\u014drero<\/em>, 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 \u2018fashion show\u2019 featuring whatu k\u0101kahu (handwoven cloaks) created by wh\u0101nau for their tamariki and mokopuna. Each cloak is accompanied by a written love letter articulating aspirations for cultural pride, identity, and reo M\u0101ori flourishing.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Ng\u0101 Pou M\u0101reikura<\/strong>
Associate Professor Deb Heke introduced Ng\u0101 Pou M\u0101reikura<\/em>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTuesday night\u2019s event hosted by Ng\u0101 Wai a Te T\u016bi welcomed a range of local community and school leaders, and WIPCE attendees,\u201d Assoc. Prof. Smith remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n