<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size:12px">Board Chair, Peter Fraser and Dr Erica Williams listen to the research presentations.</span></em></p>

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<p>We are delighted and honoured that Dr Erica Williams (Te Arawa, Ng&#257;ti Whakaue, Ng&#257;ti Pikiao, Te Wh&#257;nau &#257; Apanui) has accepted an invitation to join the Whakauae Board of Directors. She was welcomed to her first Board hui on 24 May 2019 by Board Chair Peter Fraser, Aunty Pat Fraser, Board Directors Anthony Thompson and Dr Amohia Boulton, and the staff of Whakauae.</p>

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<p>Dr Williams replaces Dr Heather Gifford who has stepped down after serving as a highly valued member since the Board was established in 2012 as a stand-alone entity under the auspices of Te R&#363;nanga o Ng&#257;ti Hauiti. Dr Williams brings with her broad and varied experience in the field of M&#257;ori environmental science. She is currently Principal Scientist - M&#257;ori Environmental Research (Te Kuwaha) with NIWA (the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) based in Wellington. Dr Williams joined NIWA in 1995 as a technician in the eco-toxicology lab after being award her BSc. She has since completed her MSc (University of Waikato) followed by her PhD (University of Auckland) which investigated the effects of a group of contaminants called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on shellfish. Dr Williams works on a wide range of projects spanning both the marine and freshwater environments within the National Centre of M&#257;ori Environmental Research.</p>

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<h3>Research presentations</h3>

<p>Following the mihi whakatau, Dr Aria Graham and Senior Research Fellow, Dr Lewis Williams presented aspects of their research work. Dr Graham shared key themes from her recently completed doctoral research, <em>Tika Tonu&mdash;Young M&#257;ori mothers&rsquo; experiences of wellbeing surrounding the birth of their first tamaiti</em> which are now informing the development of her post-doctoral study proposal. Dr Williams shared an overview of the interrelated projects she is currently pursuing in her social-ecological resilience research and practice.</p>

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