Whakauae was established in Whanganui by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hauiti in 2005, with Dr Heather Gifford as Research Director. Whakauae’s mission is:
“To assist Māori to reach their potential by sustainably delivering Māori research founded on academic and research excellence, and mātauranga Māori, in a way that brings together Ngāti Hauiti interests, with the interests of Māori in general.”
Whakauae team members Dr Heather Gifford, Dr Amohia Boulton, Lynley Cvitanovic, Gill Potaka-Osborne and Melody Potaka-Osborne, with the help of external research partners Kiri Parata and Teresa Taylor, are working on Whānau Ora Action Research projects with three community partners: Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority (Whanganui), Tui Ora and Tu Tama Wahine in Taranaki, and Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga.
Whakauae researchers are also involved in research projects on Māori nurses and smoking, and supporting rongoā practice in contemporary health care settings.
Whakauae have produced a wealth of publications on Māori health research and evaluation, including a page on building evaluation capacity, many of which are available for download from their website.
The Health Research Council has also profiled Whakauae’s research on resiliency.