UC appoints first Professor of Mori Research

After spending five months at the University of Canterbury as a senior research fellow last year, Professor Angus Hikairo Macfarlane has returned to UC in a more permanent capacity as the University’s first Professor of Mori Research.

Professor Macfarlane, who is based in the School of Mori, Social and Cultural Studies in Education, said he was looking forward to the “exciting challenges” the University-wide post offered.

“I’m excited by the very nature of the position and the fact it is a new role. The newness of the position means that the opportunities to offer new dimensions to the existing research activities are very real. It is an imposing feeling, and very humbling,” he said.

“As a Te Arawa person, it is a privilege to be accepted into Te Wai Pounamu where the educational aspirations, generally, are high-level ones. There is critical mass here that is on the move and I will need to move accordingly. At the appropriate junctures, I would be liaising with Ngi Tahu on UC-related activities.

“I also feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to take on this appointment in one of the country’s major universities. Canterbury has a proud tradition of making a difference locally and globally. It is proud of its past, proud of its past graduates, like this county’s first Mori graduate Sir Apirana Ngata and enthusiastic about its future which places scholarship and collegiality at the forefront. So it is a challenge to be part of that vision.”

As inaugural Professor of Mori Research, Professor Macfarlane said his role was to help facilitate Mori research and scholarship throughout the University. He was looking forward to working with staff on research projects, teaching in postgraduate papers, and engaging in professional development activities. Encouraging Mori staff to complete higher education qualifications and in publishing their work would be a prerogative.

“I see my role as providing academic leadership across the disciplines and across cultures. However, one professor can’t do everything. It would be wise to perhaps link back to and be guided by the whakatauki ‘nu te rourou nku te rourou’ which is ‘my food basket and your food basket’ — I will work in collaboration with colleagues and share the load.”

With a background in special education psychology and secondary school teaching, Professor Macfarlane took up his position at UC in April after spending 13 years at the University of Waikato. His research and teaching interests lie in the exploration of culturally responsive concepts and strategies in professional teaching practice. In 2003 he was senior research fellow at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, at which time he took up residence in Wellington to extend this work.

Already widely published, he is currently working on several projects including two books. One is on restorative practices in schools which will include chapter of contributions from UC staff and postgraduate students; the other is on working for success in Mori education. He is also involved in a pilot study being conducted by researchers from Canterbury, Victoria and Auckland universities on successful Mori students.

“The intention of this small study is to collate data around young Mori who have achieved excellence while going to school and are ready to present themselves at universities. This study is a platform to see if the emerging themes might counter the deficit theorising that seems to monopolise perceptions of Mori education. That may open the way for a larger study.”

One of Professor Macfarlane’s short-term goals in his new post is to hold a wnanga for all Mori staff at UC.

“The intention is to give staff an opportunity to reflect on the successes so far, discuss the current status of Mori research activities and tap into any potential future opportunities.”