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<p>The 29th of October 2021 will be remembered as a significant date for the Whakauae team as we farewelled our founding Director and colleague Dr Heather Gifford who has moved on to the next phase of her life of semi-retirement. It is with deep aroha that we recognise and acknowledge Heather&rsquo;s role with Whakauae Research; the passion and dedication which she has brought to our organisation; and the legacy she has established as a champion for M&#257;ori health research.</p>

<p>Heather was the driving force behind the establishment of Whakauae Research in 2005 on the back of completing her Doctor of Philosophy in M&#257;ori Studies at Massey University.&nbsp; At that time, establishing an independent health research centre outside of the mainstream tertiary setting was a bold and courageous move &ndash; one that was almost impossible to conceive. Up until that time most M&#257;ori health research centres were integrated within universities or polytechnic institutions. Whakauae were the first, and to date remain the only, iwi owned and mandated M&#257;ori health research centre in Aotearoa.</p>

<p>Te R&#363;nanga o Ng&#257;ti Hauiti wasted no time in supporting Heather&rsquo;s vision, having seen and recognised her passion and capability while studying for her PhD researching into the historical, social, economic and cultural context of smoking for Ng&#257;ti Hauiti tamariki, rangatahi and wh&#257;nau. However, despite the strong backing of the iwi at an ideological level, the future of the fledgling entity - Whakauae Research for M&#257;ori Health and Development - was far from secure.&nbsp; The long-term viability and sustainability of the organisation required a dedicated workforce, academic credibility, ongoing funding, and infrastructure amongst other things.</p>

<p>Nonetheless through Heather&rsquo;s unwavering commitment and resolve Whakauae steadily grew. Starting with herself and one other colleague, Gill Potaka-Osborne, under Heathers leadership, Whakauae actively increased its capacity through a series of contract research and evaluation projects and then, longer-term funding through the Health Research Council.&nbsp; This approach eventually enabled Whakauae to increase permanent staff from an original two to nine.</p>

<p>During her time as Director, Whakauae was able to employ additional academic staff with master&rsquo;s, PhD, and postdoctoral research experience and over time, Whakauae was also able to support additional PhD and postdoctoral students to complete their qualifications. Academic excellence, a foundational principle for the organisation was always coupled with a philosophy of service for our people.&nbsp; The qualities of leadership demonstrated by Heather, who is recognised not only as a leader amongst the people of Ng&#257;ti Hauiti, but also as a leader in the field of tobacco control research, are myriad.</p>

<p>Heather&rsquo;s vision has always focused on the role that research can and must play in advancing the aims and aspirations of M&#257;ori to flourish. As the Director of Whakauae, Heather identified and drew out the unique skills and abilities of her team, bringing the team together in such a way that, under her leadership, we have been able to make a significant contribution both to the academy and to the wellbeing of our people. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Whakauae Research Services Ltd occupies a unique place in the M&#257;ori research field, marrying academic excellence with research that meets the needs and desires of the people of Ng&#257;ti Hauiti, and M&#257;ori wh&#257;nau more broadly. This is Heather&rsquo;s legacy. She leaves our centre as a pre-eminent leader in M&#257;ori health research to continue her leadership journey with her own people, Ng&#257;ti Hauiti.</p>

<p><em>E&nbsp;te&nbsp;Amorangi&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;nei&nbsp;r&#257;&nbsp;te tuku&nbsp;aroha&nbsp;ki a&nbsp;koe,&nbsp;kei te mihi ki a koe m&#333; &#257;u mahi&nbsp;katoa i t&#363;tukitia i ng&#257; tau roa kua hipa, n&#257; reira&nbsp;ka&nbsp;tino mokemoke&nbsp;m&#257;tou&nbsp;i&nbsp;koe -&nbsp;n&#257;&nbsp;m&#257;tau n&#257; t&#333;&nbsp;wh&#257;nau&nbsp;ki&nbsp;Whakauae.</em></p>

<p><em>We give our love to you our leader, we acknowledge and give thanks for everything that you have accomplished over the years, for this reason we will truly miss you - from us your wh&#257;nau at Whakauae.</em></p>
