New Patron for Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga

Embargoed Until: 7am, 14th November, 2014

Press Release
14th November 2014

New Patron for Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga

It is with pleasure that we announce Hon Dr Pita R Sharples (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngai te Kikiri o te Rangi, Ngāti Pahauwera) as the new Patron of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (NPM).

Throughout Dr Sharples career he has been at the forefront of Māori development, education and research. As we all know, he has recently finished his term as Minister of Māori Affairs, and NPM is delighted to be able to draw on his wisdom and long career of service to Māori and indigenous peoples.

Sir Tipene O’Regan, Chair of NPM, says “His role will be important in optimising our contribution to research, including the Māori Language and Māori Economic Strategies he has designed, and advancing our engagement on both the national and international stages”.

Dr Sharples said “This opportunity to serve as Patron is a great honour. Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga and indeed all of the Māori research community, has been going through some challenging times recently and I am looking forward to providing support so the transformational research and work of NPM over the past 10 years is harnessed and continues to advance the research needs and aspirations of Māori communities, and indeed the whole of New Zealand”.

Dr Sharples has joined at an important moment in NPM’s history. Today, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga will be submitting its pre-proposal for continued Māori Centre of Research Excellence funding via the Tertiary Education Commission. This is the first step in a series of assessment requirements, where NPM is proposing a new and energised research programme, along with a distributive leadership and enhanced governance model.

NPM will formally welcome Dr Sharples when he provides the opening keynote at our upcoming International Indigenous Development Research Conference, 25-28 November, in Auckland, where he will be speaking on ‘Transformation across the Māori Research and Development Sector’.

ENDS

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