<p>Whakauae Research Services forms part of the twenty-one entities that collaborate with Ng&#257; Pae o te M&#257;ramatanga to to seek solutions and create positive change in our communities.</p>

<p>Our staff member, Rachel Brown attended the second Ng&#257; Pae o te M&#257;ramatanga Principal Investigators W&#257;nanga in 2018 hosted at Wakat&#363; Marae, Nelson.</p>

<p>Principal Investigators from all around the motu gathered to share information on funded projects that fall under three key themes, <strong>Whai&nbsp;Rawa</strong>&nbsp;(M&#257;ori Economy), <strong>Te Tai Ao</strong> (Environment) and&nbsp;<strong>Mauri&nbsp;Ora</strong> (Human Flourishing). &nbsp;Whakauae Services is involved in two projects under these themes. Our Research Director, Dr Amohia Boulton was awarded a seeding grant to determine the cultural, ethical, research, legal and scientific (CERLS) framework for addressing issues on future Rongo&#257; M&#257;ori research. Both Rachel and Amohia are involved in a collaborative research project; Hospital&nbsp; Transfers: wh&#257;nau involvement in the healing equation &nbsp;with the University of Auckland and Waikato University.</p>

<p>Over 30 participants were invited to take part in an interactive w&#257;nanga over three days. The w&#257;nanga incorporated local history, project information sessions and updates as well as discussions and input into the up and coming Ng&#257; Pae o te M&#257;ramatanga review and the new research platforms. The interactive component of the w&#257;nanga included several site visits and activities. The first was hosted by Wakat&#363; Incorporation and Kono NZ at Aronui Wines, creating further informal opportunities to network and discuss research. Rachel noted &ldquo;<em>it was a chance to not only talk about business and innovation alongside science, but it gave us an opportunity &nbsp;to be involved in hands on activity with local iwi initiatives on their land</em>&rdquo;.</p>

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<p><img alt="" src="/uploads/images/aronui-image.jpg" style="height:372px; width:461px" /></p>

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<p>The Cawthron Institute hosted an additional two site visits including a hands-on laboratory experience at their Aquaculture Park &ndash; which has among its partners Moana NZ and Kono. Participants were allowed entry into Cawthron&rsquo;s scampi and salmon research laboratories. The second outing hosted by Cawthron included a &lsquo;walking w&#257;nanga&rsquo; at the Mahitahi River and involved engagement with tangata whenua and researchers about freshwater research with M&#257;ori communities. This w&#257;nanga like its predecessor enabled research in action. Participants formed new friendships and networks as well as new collaborations for future research.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ng&#257; Pae o te M&#257;ramatanga is currently considering options for future w&#257;nanga to be hosted in different parts of the country where research partners like Whakauae are established.</p>

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