Awanuiārangi doctoral research selected for national applied doctorates scheme

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi has been selected for the second annual call of the Applied Doctorates Scheme (ADS), recognising the strength of its doctoral programme and its leadership in kaupapa Māori research. 

The ADS is a national initiative designed to empower top doctoral talent to bring science, technology and innovation into the heart of Aotearoa New Zealand industry. Awanuiārangi is proud to be the only wānanga offering doctoral-level research opportunities, and this selection reinforces the excellence and impact of its research programmes. 

The successful project, Mana Whenua-Led Alerting, Sensing and Earth Observation, brings together mātauranga Māori and advanced technologies to address critical resilience challenges across high-risk indigenous environments. 

The research will be supervised by Distinguished Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith in partnership with Māori telecommunications leader Tū Ātea Ltd as the industry lead. This collaboration represents a powerful model of applied research grounded in kaupapa Māori and delivered in partnership with Māori industry. 

The project responds to real-world environmental security challenges, which reveal a systemic gap in sovereign alerting, sensing and observation capabilities for high-risk indigenous whenua across Aotearoa. Through a mana whenua-led approach, the research will develop a new system for emergency alerting, sensing and earth observation that prioritises indigenous data sovereignty, cultural governance and environmental protection. 

Importantly, the project embeds the doctoral candidate across wānanga, iwi and industry. Project supervisor, Distinguished Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith explains that it creates a unique three-way research environment that strengthens connections between hapū, academia and the technology sector.  

“This project reflects the power of kaupapa Māori research to shape innovation that is both technically advanced and culturally grounded. At Awanuiārangi, our doctoral programme is designed to support research that serves our communities while contributing to national and global knowledge.” 

For Awanuiārangi, the benefits extend beyond a single research project. The initiative will strengthen its doctoral portfolio in indigenous-led STEM research and position the wānanga as a leader in applied research with global relevance for indigenous communities facing similar challenges.  

“Being selected for the Applied Doctorates Scheme affirms the quality of our research environment and our commitment to developing Māori-led solutions to complex challenges. This partnership brings together mātauranga, technology and industry in a way that is uniquely Awanuiārangi.” 

The project also contributes to growing Māori workforce capability in advanced technologies, addressing longstanding underrepresentation in STEM fields while supporting innovation grounded in tikanga Māori.  

Industry partner Tū Ātea will play a key role in translating the research into real-world application, supporting the development of commercially viable solutions that can be scaled for iwi, communities and high-risk environments across Aotearoa.  

Hermione McCallum, Chief Policy Officer says, “This partnership reflects the kind of applied, kaupapa Māori-led innovation we’re here to build. Mana whenua have ancestral knowledge of te taiao and this project gives that knowledge the tools and tech to strengthen alerting, sensing and environmental monitoring.  

“For Tū Ātea, it’s a chance to put our expertise to work translating world class research into useful solutions owned and driven by Māori, for Māori. We’re proud to stand alongside Awanuiārangi and Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith on this kaupapa. 

The call for doctoral applicants is now open on the Applied Doctorates Scheme website.