This eight-part learning series forms the foundation of Iwi United Engaged's Cultural Confidence pathway and introduces participants to the key concepts explored throughout our Te Ao Mārama and Researcher 2 Kairangahau offerings. With a focus on health and wellbeing, it examines the historical and contemporary relationship between Māori and Crown agencies, institutions, and universities through a Kaupapa Māori lens.
Designed to strengthen cultural confidence and capability, the workshops deepen participants' understanding of Te Ao Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and meaningful engagement with Māori communities. Through facilitated discussion, critical reflection, and practical application, participants will explore approaches that foster stronger partnerships, enhance Māori participation, and contribute to improved health and wellbeing outcomes.
As the starting point for our broader educational pathways, these workshops provide the knowledge, relationships, and cultural understanding needed to engage respectfully and effectively within Māori contexts. Participants will leave with a stronger foundation for continued learning through Te Ao Mārama and Researcher 2 Kairangahau, supporting their ability to work collaboratively and confidently alongside Māori communities.
Building on the foundations established through Whaia Te Tika, the Te Ao Mārama workshop series supports participants to move from understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles to confidently applying them in research, practice, and decision-making. Delivered across two sessions, the series explores six key themes: partnership, active protection, tino rangatiratanga, Māori data sovereignty, options, and equity.
Participants will strengthen their ability to apply a Te Tiriti lens to their work, embedding these principles into research planning, engagement processes, and organisational practice. Through practical discussion and reflection, the workshops examine how meaningful partnerships with Māori communities can be fostered, how Māori rights and aspirations can be upheld, and how culturally responsive approaches can contribute to more equitable outcomes.
The series also deepens participants' understanding of Māori data sovereignty and the governance of Māori data, providing practical tools and approaches that support accountability, participation, and shared decision-making. By translating principles into practice, participants will build the confidence and capability to create lasting, positive change within their organisations and alongside Māori communities.
Building on the foundations established through Whaia Te Tika and Te Ao Mārama, the Researcher to Kairangahau workshop series supports participants to embed Kaupapa Māori approaches throughout the entire research journey. The series explores the position of Tangata Whenua as the Indigenous people of Aotearoa, the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and why all research undertaken in Aotearoa has relevance to Māori.
Participants will be challenged to critically reflect on their own research practices and develop an individualised Kaupapa Māori framework or tool to guide each stage of their research planning, processes, and practice. Through this process, they will strengthen their understanding of how to give effect to Te Tiriti principles and uphold Tino Rangatiratanga within research environments.
Designed to move beyond theory and into practical application, the series equips participants with the confidence, capability, and tools to undertake research in ways that are culturally responsive, accountable, and grounded in meaningful partnership with Māori communities. The outcome is a personalised approach to rangahau that supports Māori aspirations, strengthens Māori participation, and gives effect to Tino Rangatiratanga.
Tino Rangatiratanga
The Journey Continues
The next chapter of this learning journey is already taking shape.
Whaea Misty and the IUE team are currently developing the next series, drawing on the insights, relationships, and learnings that have emerged through Whaia Te Tika, Te Ao Mārama, and Researcher to Kairangahau. As with each step in the journey, this new series will be grounded in Te Tiriti, Mātauranga Māori, and a commitment to advancing Māori aspirations.
We're excited to share more with you soon.
Initiatives
Our initiatives bring together communities, kura, whānau, and organisations through a range of engagement kaupapa delivered throughout the year. At the heart of every initiative is whakawhanaungatanga - the building and strengthening of meaningful relationships that create lasting connections and positive outcomes. Through shared experiences, learning opportunities, and community-led engagement, we foster spaces where people can connect, collaborate, and contribute to the wellbeing and aspirations of their communities.
Kōrero Mai|Let's Connect
