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About this project
We also understand that Māori have always considered rangatahi as critical change agents in whānau, hapū and iwi (Walker, 2004). To this end this study brings together a strong kaupapa Māori research team that spans key critical areas for regenerative rangatahi-led kāinga.
The research design includes rangatahi as co-researchers to ensure this project will be truly transformative for rangatahi themselves. A key feature of this research includes rangatahi leaders of specific change-leading groups to co-design, co-produce and co-determine key dimensions of the research.
Key Insights
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Research Aim
to live.
Our Research Team
This large multidisciplinary research team is led by Dr Jenny Lee-Morga and Maia Ratana, alongside key members of Pūrangakura and rangatahi researchers including:
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Maia Ratana (She/Her)
Te Arawa whānui, Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Raukawa
Jacqueline Paul (She/Her)
Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga
Hanna-Marie Monga (She/Her)
Ngāti Whātua, Te Uri o Hau, Cook Islands
Ngahuia Eruera (She/Her)
(Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Tamatera)
India Miro Logan-Riley (They/Them)
Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine, Rangitāne
Irene Farnham (She/Her)
Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe
Dr Cat Mitchell (She/Her)
Taranaki, Ngati Tara, Ngati Haupoto
Rau Hoskins (He/Him)
Ngāti Hau, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai
Te Nia Matthews (He/Him)
Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahu
Pania Newton
(Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Waikato, Ngāti Mahuta)
Eruera Lee-Morgan (He/Him)
(Te Arawa, Pare-Hauraki, Pare-Waikato)
Joanne Gallagher
(Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kahu, Ngai Takoto, Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara)
Bernadette Lee Te Young (She/Her)
Ngāti Whakaeke, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Mahuta, Te Ahiwaru, Ngāpuhi, Tainui
Ariana Hond (She/Her)
Taranaki, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāi Te Rangi
Rhieve Grey
(Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Raukawa)
Elyjana Roach
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Maui Brennan
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Pauline Hiroti
(Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa)
Te Arawa whānui, Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Raukawa
Maia Ratana (She/Her)
Maia Ratana is a researcher at Pūrangakura, a lecturer at Unitec School of Architecture, and a PhD candidate at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. With research across Māori housing, homelessness, rangatahi leadership and equity in tertiary education, Maia is passionate about building relationships with Indigenous researchers and communities to create a better future for coming generations. Grounded in Kaupapa Māori research, her PhD explores ‘Kaupapa Rangatahi,’ a theory of change that challenges colonial norms and empowers rangatahi as leaders and change-makers. Her mahi reflects her unwavering commitment to centring rangatahi voices and fostering equitable, sustainable futures.
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Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga
Jacqueline Paul (She/Her)
Jacqueline Paul is a researcher whose work explores the intersection of Indigenous knowledge, treaty relationships, and urban planning. Currently pursuing her doctorate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), her research examines how different treaty contexts shape Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination in land and housing affairs. Through Pūrangakura, she engages in research focused on improving housing and well-being outcomes for Māori communities.
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Ngāti Whātua, Te Uri o Hau, Cook Islands
Hanna-Marie Monga (She/Her)
Hanna-Marie Monga is passionate about supporting Māori and Pasifika peoples on their housing journeys through research and architecture. She has her Masters in applied architecture studies and research coordination, she is particularily interested in designing culturally informed housing solutions that reflect and enhance the identities of the communities she serves.
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(Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Tamatera)
Ngahuia Eruera (She/Her)
Ngahuia Eruera brings a wealth of business solutions and operational management expertise from her background and senior leadership roles in sports, tertiary education (Wānanga) and research sectors. A home-grown ‘pa’ girl she is passionate about whānau wellbeing and hauora Māori, in particular marae development. She is currently a board member of the Auckland Mataatua Society Inc and Te Tini o Toi Housing Trust.
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Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine, Rangitāne
India Miro Logan-Riley (They/Them)
India Logan-Riley is a community researcher on the Generation Kāinga project, bringing expertise in Māori heritage spaces and lived experience of climate injustice. Their work spans diverse areas, from United Nations climate negotiations to grassroots initiatives such as the #LandBack with rangatahi Māori and Pasifika. Alongside their role with Generation Kāinga, India serves as the Climate Justice Campaigner at the Pacific Network on Globalisation, advocating for Ikonomik Justice in the Pacific. India envisions resilient, joyful communities where everyone thrives and sees the Generation Kāinga project as a step toward realising this vision. Their mahi reflects a deep commitment to climate justice, Indigenous empowerment, and sustainable futures.
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Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe
Irene Farnham (She/Her)
Irene Farnham is a Kaupapa Māori researcher at Pūrangakura, with a background in social work and a passion for empowering Māori communities. Witnessing the systemic undervaluing of Indigenous ways of being, she is dedicated to creating meaningful change. Irene has extensive experience providing cultural support, guidance, and education in social services, particularly in housing, youth services, and whānau advocacy. She recently completed her Master of Applied Social Practice, focusing on the gendered and racial challenges Māori women face in leadership. Her research and practice aim to amplify Māori voices and perspectives to benefit Māori communities. Irene plans to begin her PhD studies in 2025, furthering her commitment to Kaupapa Māori research and advocating for systemic change to uplift Māori well-being and self-determination.
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Taranaki, Ngati Tara, Ngati Haupoto
Dr Cat Mitchell (She/Her)
Dr Cat Mitchell is a senior researcher at Pūrangakura, working on various projects related to te taiao, housing and homelessness. She holds a PhD in higher education from the University of Auckland and has more than fifteen years of experience as a lecturer in academic development. In her mahi, she utilises her expertise in postgraduate academic writing to aid in developing the scholarly publications of Pūrangakura. Her commitment to Kaupapa Māori underpins her work to share significant Māori stories and to support emerging Māori researchers.
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Ngāti Hau, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai
Rau Hoskins (He/Him)
Rau Hoskins is renowned practitioner, researcher, and educator with over three decades of experience in Māori architecture, housing and cultural landscape design. Raised in Whangārei, he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from the University of Auckland. Rau combines kaupapa Māori design principles with skills in iwi engagement, urban design, Māori heritage, and cultural consultancy. In addition to his role as a director of Pūrangakura, he is also a founding director of TRIBE Architects, an architectural practice which specialises in cultural, health, urban, and educational projects. Rau served on the Auckland Council urban design panel (2012–2020) and contributes to major developments like the City Rail Link and Aotea Over Station Development. He was the founding Chairperson of Te Matapihi he Tirohanga mo te Iwi, a national Māori housing network, and co-created the award-winning Māori architecture series “Whare Māori,” which won Best Information Programme at the 2011 Aotearoa Film and Television Awards.
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Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahu
Te Nia Matthews (He/Him)
Te Nia Matthews is an emerging researcher dedicated to advancing Māori Political Sovereignty as a means to address poverty and housing inequality. He recently earned his Master’s degree from Victoria University of Wellington, where his thesis, *Huringa o te Taiao: Tūhoe Environmental and Ecological Changes Through the Lens of the Maramataka*, explored the intersection of traditional Māori knowledge and environmental change. Passionate about social justice, Te Nia is committed to advocating for the rights of working people in Aotearoa. He believes that dismantling neoliberalism is essential to improving the quality of life for whānau and creating a more equitable society.
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(Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Waikato, Ngāti Mahuta)
Pania Newton
holds a Conjoint Degree in Law and Health Sciences and is currently completing her Master’s degree as part of the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity, The University of Melbourne. Well-known and highly respected for her leadership in the campaign to protect tribal whenua at Ihumatao, Pania is also a valued researcher with the MOKO and Rangatahi ki te Kainga projects.
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(Te Arawa, Pare-Hauraki, Pare-Waikato)
Eruera Lee-Morgan (He/Him)
Eruera Lee-Morgan has 30 years’ experience working in broadcasting, radio, film, Television, and digital media as a practitioner, strategic leader, manager and more recently a board member of ‘Ngā Aho Whakaari’, (Māori film and Television industry. He also brings a strong voice for Māori communities and social development, language, and cultural revitalisation to everything he is involved in. Eruera chairs the Manukau Institute of Technology, Rūnanga board as well as his integral role as co-chair of Ngā Puna o Waiōrea (Western Springs College co-governance board).
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(Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kahu, Ngai Takoto, Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara)
Joanne Gallagher
brings her strong sense of manaaki and organisational skills to her work as Executive Assistant (EA) and project administration. Jo is passionate about her people, her whänau, iwi and hapü, she is the chairperson for her local Kōhanga Reo.
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Ngāti Whakaeke, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Mahuta, Te Ahiwaru, Ngāpuhi, Tainui
Bernadette Lee Te Young (She/Her)
Raised in a loving and supportive whānau with strong values, Bernadette applies these principles in her role, demonstrating excellent organisational skills and manaakitanga to support kaimahi across various administrative and organisational tasks. With a background in accounts, Bernadette has gradually returned to this field, overseeing the accounts and payroll for Pūrangakura. Throughout, she maintains her commitment to manaakitanga, ensuring a welcoming environment for her colleagues and the manuhiri visiting Pūrangakura. I feel fortunate to work alongside incredible Māori role models in a supportive environment that allows her to deepen her connection to Māoritanga and build confidence through learning.
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Taranaki, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāi Te Rangi
Ariana Hond (She/Her)
Arianna Hond is an emerging researcher, actively developing her knowledge and nurturing her passion for action-focused community research. Completing her Psychology Honours at the University of Auckland, she is part of the qualitative team for Generation Kāinga. Tasked with speaking to rangatahi, she seeks to continue building her capabilities to advocate for her people and contribute to research that meaningfully serves her communities.
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(Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Raukawa)
Rhieve Grey
Rhieve Grey (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Po rou, Ngāti Raukawa) is a researcher with Purangakura on the Generation Kāinga project. He has an academic background in Public Policy, having recently completed Master’s studies at the University of Oxford. He also is a researcher for Te Kuaka, a NZ – based foreign policy think tank, where he focuses on Māori and Indigenous engagement in foreign policymaking.
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Elyjana Roach
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Maui Brennan
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(Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa)
Pauline Hiroti
We are pleased to collaborate with
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Te Reretai Hauiti
(Te Rarawa)
Dallas Cherrington
(Ngāti Kuri)
Lani Rotzler-Purewa
(Ngāti Maniapoto)
Matangireia Yates-Francis
(Te Arawa)
Rāhiri Makuini Edwards-Hammond
(Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāruahine)
Rosa Hibbert-Schooner
(Te Arawa)
Hoki Tawhai-Cassidy
(Ngāpuhi)
Distinguished Prof. Linda Tuhiwai Smith
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Cary Monreal Clark
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Dr. Annie Te One
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Dr. Diane Menzies
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Dr. Hinekura Smith
(Ngā Wai a te Tui)
Associate Prof. Shiloh Groot
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Prof. Ella Henry
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Dr. John Reid
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Bianca Johanson
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Māhera Maihi
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Wayne Knox
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Ben Barton
(Te Arawa)
(Te Rarawa)
Te Reretai Hauiti
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(Ngāti Kuri)
Dallas Cherrington
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(Ngāti Maniapoto)
Lani Rotzler-Purewa
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(Te Arawa)
Matangireia Yates-Francis
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(Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāruahine)
Rāhiri Makuini Edwards-Hammond
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(Te Arawa)
Rosa Hibbert-Schooner
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(Ngāpuhi)
Hoki Tawhai-Cassidy
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Distinguished Prof. Linda Tuhiwai Smith
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Cary Monreal Clark
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Dr. Annie Te One
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Dr. Diane Menzies
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(Ngā Wai a te Tui)
Dr. Hinekura Smith
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Associate Prof. Shiloh Groot
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Prof. Ella Henry
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Dr. John Reid
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Bianca Johanson
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Māhera Maihi
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Wayne Knox
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(Te Arawa)
Ben Barton
We recognise and acknowledge the contribution of the following:
Keisha Rawiri
Nayte Davies
Brittany Pooley
Research Advisory Rōpū
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Dr Rebecca Kiddle
(Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi)
Jade Kake
(Ngāpuhi, Whakatōhea)
Professor Terryann Clark
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Evie O’Brien
(Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Ranginui)
Assistant Professor Michael Charles
(Diné/Navajo)
Dr. Jason De Santolo
(Garrwa and Barunggam)
Te Aorangi Murphy-Fell
(Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Ngai Tahu / Kai Tahu, Ngati Apa)
Amaia Watson
(Ngāti Kahungunu)
Eru Kapa-Kingi
(Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kahu, Waikato, Te Whānau Apanui)
Kahu Kutia
(Ngāi Tūhoe)
Quack Pirihi
(Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Ngati Porou, & Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara)
(Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi)
Dr Rebecca Kiddle
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(Ngāpuhi, Whakatōhea)
Jade Kake
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Professor Terryann Clark
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(Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Ranginui)
Evie O’Brien
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(Diné/Navajo)
Assistant Professor Michael Charles
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(Garrwa and Barunggam)
Dr. Jason De Santolo
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(Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Ngai Tahu / Kai Tahu, Ngati Apa)
Te Aorangi Murphy-Fell
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(Ngāti Kahungunu)
Amaia Watson
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(Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kahu, Waikato, Te Whānau Apanui)
Eru Kapa-Kingi
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(Ngāi Tūhoe)
Kahu Kutia
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(Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Ngati Porou, & Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara)
Quack Pirihi
Our Mahi
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Events
Rangatahi-led design and development of a Tiny Whare
As part of our kaupapa rangatahi methodology, Generation Kāinga is considering how we disseminate research differently so that it is accessible and interesting for rangatahi and their whānau.
Kawenata Signing
Te Kawenata o ngā rākau Turuturu.
We collaboratively work together to weave the linings of our tukutuku panels that will proudly adorn our whare.
Pūrangakura welcomes PhD student from MIT
In February 2024, Margaret Haltom, a PhD student from MIT, Massachusetts spent a month with the Gen K team at Pūrangakura.
Rangatahi interview training wānanga
Dr Annie Te One and Associate Professor Shiloh Groot held two training days on Tuesday 26 March and Thursday 2 May 2024 for the rangatahi researchers and partners who will be undertaking interviews.
Political Kaupapa
Our political voice as Gen K has become an important aspect of the research project and we have been actively engaging in political kaupapa.
Place based wānanga
Over 2024 and 2025 the Gen K research team will visit each of our six partner organisations who are located across Aotearoa.
Conferences
In December 2023, several members of the Gen K team attended the SOAC conference in Pōneke.
Achievements
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Fulbright-Ngā Pae o te
Māramatanga Scholar Award
Recipient - Linda Tuhiwai Smith
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Royal Society Te Āparangi Research Te Kōpūnui Māori Research Award
Recipient - Dr Hinekura Smith
Resources and Publications
Newton, P., Paul, J., Ratana, M., & Monga, H.-M. (2023, November 23). Webinar: Rangatahi pathways to safe, secure, and affordable homes. [Video]. Pūrangakura.
Lee-Morgan, (2024, June 14) Submission of Te Ahiwaru Board on the Fast-track Approvals Bill.
Te One, A. (2024, May 29). Submission to the Justice Committee on Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill. New Zealand Parliament.
Henry, E. (2024, August 3). Empowering Māori voices in media [Video].
Henry, E. (2024, May 31). How non-Māori learning te reo Māori helps revitalise it. Re News.
Paul, J. (2023, July 6). Radio interview: Youth homelessness worries group [Audio]. RNZ.
Perese, D. (2024, April 6). Māori Wards. Whakaata Māori.
Te Hiku Media. (2024, March 13). Ella Henry – Tvnz Looks to axe Several News Bulletins.
The Panel. (2024, May 8). The Panel and Chris Finlayson and Dr Ella Henry (Part 1).
ArchitectureNow. (2023, July 12). SOAC 2023 Conference.
Lee-Morgan, J. (2024, June 2). Jenny Lee-Morgan: Diversity is a slippery word. E-Tangata.
Maihi, M. (2024, April 10). More help needed to address youth homelessness. Te Ao News.
Paul, J. (2024, April 30). Budget 2024: The great Spinoff hot-take roundtable. The Spinoff.
Agozino, B., Smith, L. T., Anthony, T., Blagg, H., Cunneen, C., Rowe, S., & Connell, R. (2024). Criminological and social theory and methods, settler colonialism and the Indigenous context. In Roads to decolonisation (pp. 257–280). Routledge.
Paul, J., Ratana, M., Monga, H.-M., Newton, P., & Lee-Morgan, J. [Forthcoming]. He tātai whetu ki te rangi, he rangatahi ki te kāinga: Rangatahi Māori pathways to safe, secure and affordable homes. MAI Journal.
Poole, B. (Forthcoming). Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei: Language revitalisation through Māori maternities. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples. University of Auckland.
Barton, B. (2024). Inequity for Wāhine Takatāpui and Whakawāhine. In Mana wāhine i te ao hurihuri: Equity and disparities in wellbeing for wāhine Māori from the 1950s to 2000. [Report].
Clifford, C., Berryman-Kamp, M., & Te One, A. (2023). Wāhine Māori access to decision-making, representation and leadership in the public sector 1990-2020. A report in support of the Waitangi Tribunal Mana Wāhine Inquiry (WAI2700).
Ratana, M. (2024). Room for Rangatahi: Housing security and Rangatahi Māori. National Science Challenge: Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities.
Reynolds-Cuéllar, P., Te One, A., Paul, J., & Harvey, A. (2024). On kinship: Indigenous knowledge(s) & Western knowledge. Science for the People Magazine.