Indigenous Knowledge & Innovation

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi

With your basket and my basket, the people will thrive

The University of Auckland is home to one of the world's largest and most influential communities of Māori and Pacific researchers, bringing together Indigenous knowledge, research excellence, and deep community partnerships to address complex challenges and create lasting impact.

Grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Aotearoa New Zealand's place in the Pacific, we work alongside iwi, governments, industry, and communities to co-design solutions that strengthen wellbeing, resilience, sustainability, and economic opportunity. By connecting mātauranga Māori and Pacific knowledge systems with world-leading expertise across health, science, engineering, technology, business, education, and the environment, we help turn research into practical outcomes that benefit people, places, and future generations.

Māori Innovation | Auaha Māori

The University of Auckland is a leader in Māori research and innovation, bringing together world-class expertise and mātauranga Māori to deliver research that creates meaningful impact for Māori and Aotearoa. Through strong partnerships with iwi, communities, government, and industry, we co-design solutions that address real-world challenges and create lasting social, environmental, and economic benefit.  

Our strengths include: 

  • Māori-led, kaupapa-informed research across diverse disciplines  
  • Strong partnerships with iwi, Māori organisations, and communities  
  • Expertise spanning health, engineering, science, education, business, law, and the environment  
  • Translation of research into policy, practice, innovation, and commercial opportunities  
  • A commitment to advancing Māori leadership, equity, and long-term impact 
Auaha Māori | Māori Innovation

Pacific Innovation & Resilience

The University of Auckland partners with governments, industry, and communities to deliver Pacific-led research that addresses regional priorities and creates lasting impact. Our interdisciplinary expertise supports innovative, culturally grounded solutions that strengthen resilience, wellbeing, and sustainable development across the Blue Pacific.  

Our expertise includes: 

  • Climate change adaptation and environmental resilience  
  • Pacific and Indigenous health and wellbeing  
  • Marine science and the blue economy  
  • Renewable energy and sustainability  
  • Digital innovation, AI, and emerging technologies  
  • Education, governance, and public policy  
  • Economic development, trade, and finance 
Pacific Innovation

Case Studies

Nuka: A tikanga Māori business

Nuka: A tikanga Māori business

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LEAP: Improving education in the Solomon Islands

LEAP: Improving education in the Solomon Islands

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All case studies

Māori & Pacific Innovation Contacts

Dion Peita

Manutaki Whanaketanga Umanga Māori | Sector Specialist - Māori

More about Dion

Dion (Te Rārawa, Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua, Ngāti Tīpa) joined UniServices in September 2022. A former executive in the heritage industry, he has expertise in complex engagement with Māori. He holds a postgraduate diploma in Māori Development. Contact about: Vision Mātauranga; Te Tiriti relationships; Māori health, education, economy and innovation.

Pedro van der Ent

Director, Business Development - Pacific

More about Pedro

Pedro van der Ent leads Pacific strategic engagement and partnership development for UniServices, connecting the University’s research capability with the priorities of Pacific governments, regional organisations, and international funders to develop impactful programmes across the region.

He works closely with Pacific Island governments, CROP agencies, and development partners including ADB, the World Bank, MFAT, DFAT, SPC, and SPREP on initiatives spanning climate resilience, infrastructure, environmental governance, health, education, and economic development.

With more than two decades of senior leadership experience across the public, private, and research sectors, Pedro specialises in building trusted partnerships and mobilising collaborative programmes across the Pacific and Asia-Pacific. Of Pacific heritage, he is committed to advancing Pacific-led solutions that translate research into practical outcomes for communities.