PRINCIPAL RESEARCHERS
ASSOCIATE RESEARCHERS
DIRECTORS
STAFF
PHD STUDENTS
ADMINISTRATION
PRINCIPAL RESEARCHERS
PAUL TAPSELL
Paul is an independent academic researcher and principal of Takarangi Research. He is the co-founder to the website www.maorimaps.com. He is a team leader on five NZ/Australian socially responsible research projects, covering climate change and urban impact on indigenous production/consumption systems, twenty first century importance of kāinga/marae communities; reimagining Pacific navigation and future roles of museums post COVID.
MERATA KAWHARU
Merata Kawharu (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi) is an academic, researcher and writer. She is Principal of Takarangi Research, a Principal of Nukuroa Research Consulting Ltd and in 2024 took up the role of Deputy Vice Chancelor Māori at Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, Lincoln University, Christchurch. She has taught at Auckland and Otago universities, and has published widely in the areas of indigenous leadership, entrepreneurship, culture, resource management and Te Tiriti kaupapa. Merata has been a consultant to the UN and UNESCO and is currently a member of the New Zealand Geographic Board. In 2012 she was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to Māori education. She’s a Māmā of two beautiful taiohi Piere Atiakura and Freda Hemaima. When not walking the mountains and hills with the whānau or Tihi, she’s a PI for 3 projects: Project Kāinga working alongside kāinga and researchers on developing resilience in the face of climate change challenges (MBIE Endeavour Research Programme); Young Māori connections with Marae (Marsden); and Pā to Plate: developing Marae-based food systems innovation (National Science Challenge ‘Our Land and Water).
RUSSELL DEATH
I am a Professor in Freshwater Ecology in the School of Agriculture and Environment at Massey University. I have had nearly 30 years’ experience in ecological research and teaching. My area of expertise is the ecology of stream invertebrates and fish. I have over 100 peer-reviewed publications, 60 conference presentations and have supervised 38 post-graduate research students. I have been a Quinney Visiting Fellow at Utah State University and an International Distinguished Visitor to the University of Birmingham. I was awarded the New Zealand Freshwater Science Medal in 2017 for an outstanding contribution to our understanding and management of freshwaters. Although my primary interest is ecology research I have also been involved in applying that science in water management planning arenas such as the One Plan, Canterbury Regional Plan and Ruataniwha irrigation scheme.
HIRINI TANE
Hirini grew up in the small marae community of Oromahoe in the Bay of Islands, Northland. He completed a doctorate at the University of Otago, Dunedin, exploring the past-present and future of his papakāinga. The general theme of his research interests is understanding something of the relationship between people, land and water. Hirini is also aiwhakahaere Matua for the website www.maorimaps.com.
BEN TOMBS
Ben is a researcher and occasional pot stirrer. Having completed his PhD in law and climate change at the University of Otago, he now works on projects that explore the implications of damage and loss due to foreseeable climate impacts. His doctoral thesis straddled social science research and legal analysis to examine how people in climate hazard exposed properties can be immobilised by insurance retreat and property value diminution. So far, Ben’s research focus has been on the legal and social components of managed relocation within a broader context of climate adaptation. His current work with Takarangi examines the rights and responsibilities of hazard exposed marae in relation to local and central government.
TIHI WHERO
Tihi is our executive assistant from the back blocks of Fairy Springs in Rotorua. The descendant of two strong whakapapa liines of German-Sheppard and Bearded-Collie. Tihi administers the neighbourhood feline colonisation, the distribution of pats and economy of belly scratches.
PHD STUDENTS
ROCHELLE MACKINTOSH
Rochelle is working towards completing her PhD at Otago University. Her research explores the utilisation and development of Māori land. She is investigating how a Māori community is responding to climate change and how they are building environmental resilience. Her research examines Māori community leadership and Māori community engagement. Rochelle has 14 years teaching experience. Her Masters study explored Māori girls’ educational success at bursary level. She has interests in Te Reo Māori, completing a diploma of Māoritanga at Victoria University and a diploma in Te Reo at Whitireia.