<p><span style="font-size:12px"><em>Kiri at mahi.</em></span></p>

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<p>Kiri Parata, <em>Te &#256;tiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ng&#257;ti Raukawa, Ng&#257;ti Toarangatira, Ng&#257;ti Ruanui, Ng&#257;i Tahu</em>, has supported Whakauae as a contractor on a number of research and evaluation projects for 15 years, and is currently employed as the Programme Manager for the HRC-funded, Kia Pu&#257;wai five year research programme - <a href="https://kia-puawai.whakauae.co.nz/" target="_blank">you can visit the website here</a>.</p>

<p>As a PhD candidate with Te P&#363;tahi a Toi, Massey University, Kiri holds a Health Research Council of New Zealand M&#257;ori Health Research PhD Scholarship for her study, <em>Hoki ki te &#363;kaip&#333; whenua and hauora: an exploration wh&#257;nau, whenua and restoration</em>.</p>

<p>Kiri embarked on her PhD study exploring wh&#257;nau connection to whenua tupuna for enhancing wellbeing on their wh&#257;nau papak&#257;inga in Waikanae during 2021.</p>

<p>During August 2022 Whakauae hosted a confirmation event with Massey University for Kiri to present her research kaupapa to a panel of academic experts, her research colleagues, wh&#257;nau and fellow PhD students. Kiri based her presentation on a beautiful artist impression or tohu for her kaupapa which centres on the puna (fresh water spring), K&#257;piti Island and maunga Taranaki as sources for wellbeing. Kiri will draw on this tohu to develop her study methodology and design. Her PhD research question is <em>How do contemporary expressions of &#363;kaip&#333; nurture wh&#257;nau wellbeing?</em></p>

<p>The academic confirmation panel strongly agreed that Kiri&rsquo;s research capabilities and focus of the study were valid and offered very encouraging feedback.&nbsp; Kiri has now passed this significant step in her doctoral journey and will proceed with her study over the next 3 years.</p>

<p>Whakauae is currently hosting three PhD students. Kiri and the two other PhD candidates meet weekly to tautoko each other and offer a sounding board to pitch ideas. &nbsp;This collaboration saw the group recently present at the International Indigenous Research Conference 2022 (<a href="https://www.iirc.ac.nz/" target="_blank">visit the website here</a>), on their model of tautoko to encourage other students to seek out support and create opportunities for developing ideas throughout their doctoral journeys.</p>

<p>Kiri hopes that the <em>Hoki ki te &#363;kaip&#333;</em> study will showcase the opportunities that wh&#257;nau can make to enhance their hauora through being active kaitiaki on and with their whenua. Their particular intergenerational and collective approach is supporting this wh&#257;nau to flourish.</p>

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<p><img alt="PhD Students (from left clockwise) Stacey Ruru, Kiri Parata &amp; Tom Johnson" src="/uploads/images/PhD-Students.jpg" style="height:366px; width:650px" /><br />
<span style="font-size:12px"><em>PhD Students (from left clockwise): Stacey Ruru, Kiri Parata &amp; Tom Johnson</em></span></p>

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