Dr Doris Kaua

Doctor of Philosophy in Indigenous Studies

My thesis is about Māori control in Pākehā spaces. Using the story of the Te Māori Exhibition, it discusses mainstream environments where critical decisions are often made for, about, and without Māori people.

With research, you don’t know what you’re going to come out with until you have completed it. I was really excited with what I found. My findings showed that the lessons learnt from the success of Te Māori, in terms of subtle yet definitive Māori control in Pākehā spaces, could potentially be applied to other Pākehā spaces where better Māori control is needed. This was so uplifting for me, because I worked in policy in the public service in government for most of my career and felt the struggle for the Māori voice to be heard. It’s exciting to think that this research might benefit people who work in the public service sector today and in the future.

My undergraduate and masters degrees were completed at mainstream universities. I’m glad I chose Awanuiārangi for my doctoral studies. Being part of a Kaupapa Māori organisation was a welcome contrast from working for well over two decades in mainstream organisations. I felt a sense of freedom just to be Māori in a safe and inclusive environment, to focus on my studies rather than on trying to justify my position as Māori and on having my way of being challenged, questioned or marginalised. At Awanuiārangi you are accepted, you are part of the whānau.