Panitīnaku | Kaupapa Māori approaches to doctoral examination
Status
Due to be completed: 30 July 2025
Key research questions
What are the key underlying elements of a kaupapa Māori approach to doctoral examination?
What examiner guidance would be most beneficial to support a kaupapa Māori approach to doctoral examination.
This research project will investigate how the examination and evaluation process of doctoral studies can effectively support and enhance the kaupapa Māori experience of doctoral study. The team will develop preliminary guidelines for a kaupapa Māori approach to doctoral examination.
This project is due to be completed July 2025.
Aims:
The project team aims to:
- Document the beginning features of a kaupapa Māori framework for doctoral study with specific reference to the examination process.
- Provide doctoral scholars an outcome that seeks to ensure a seamless and consistent kaupapa Māori approach from enrolment through to examination.
Methodology:
This project is primarily a qualitative research project engaging kaupapa Māori methodologies. Implicit in this project is a reflective analysis of current doctoral processes, procedures and tasks relating to doctoral examination and the alignment to Ngā Uara o te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi (TWWoA).
Interviews will be conducted with Māori key knowledge holders, doctoral alumni and postgraduate staff members of TWWoA incorporating seven elements:
- Decolonisation
- Wairuatanga
- Mana Wāhine
- Tino rangatiratanga,
- Te Tiriti of Waitangi,
- Taonga tuku iho, and
- Kia piki ake i ngā raruraru o te kainga
Team
Dr Mera Penehira
Lead researcher
Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi (TWWoA)
Dr Miriama Postlethwaite
Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi (TWWoA)Status
Funding
$122,775.00 (excl GST)
How will this help?
Organisations:
Addressing the key research question will assist in providing a clear kaupapa Māori approach to both the internal and external processes and procedures of doctoral examination in Whare Wananga. As such, this approach potentially could be replicated and adapted more broadly across the tertiary sector.
Doctoral scholars:
Doctoral scholars will benefit from a seamless and consistent kaupapa Māori approach from enrolment through to examination. To date kaupapa Māori has been formally considered, documented and applied at all stages of doctoral research except the examination process.
Intended outcomes
Ultimately it is intended that a written report will include guidelines and potentially a desired kaupapa Māori model of practice for doctoral examination.
Reflective evaluation of the existing doctoral polices and processes, with the intent to recommend changes as required to align to the findings of this study.
Intended outputs:
- A written report will include the literature review and guidelines, and potentially a desired kaupapa Māori model of practice for doctoral examination.
- A journal article will be available for publication.
- The project findings will be presented orally to staff, alumni and students of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi as well as a national conference.
It is hoped the findings will lead to more research in this area.