Chief Executive Update

Tēnā rawa atu koutou,

I had the privilege this week to visit Wakatū Incorporation in Nelson with our President, Dr Brent Clothier, where we met with CEO, Kerensa Johnston, and other senior staff. It was energising to learn about the mahi and ambitions of Wakatū for the future, and to have the opportunity to discuss the very real applications of mātauranga Māori. 

While in Nelson we also visited the Plant & Food Research Rangahau Ahumāra Kai campus and were similarly excited by the research being conducted there, and to receive feedback from two researchers of the significant and positive impact the Society has had on their careers. The visit was rounded off with a meeting with local branch members, one of whom is a representative on our Mana Whakahaere Council, who are tireless in the work of bringing to the community the excitement of what we do. Ngā mihi maioha thank you all!

It was a reminder of just how central people are to everything we do, and of what can be achieved when we work well together. As I mentioned in my February update, the development of our new Strategic Plan over coming months will draw heavily on the fundamental value and strength we find through diversity of approaches and perspectives….of all the people under the roof of our whare!

In this vein, I am absolutely delighted that twenty-three Ngā Ahurei hou a Te Apārangi new Fellows have been elected to the Academy of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. As indicated on our website these Fellows have been elected  for their distinction in research and advancement of mātauranga Māori, humanities, technology and science. They are world leaders in their areas of research and scholarship. We are very much looking forward to celebrating with them at their induction day on Thursday 28 Paenga-whāwhā April 2022 in Wellington.

While on the subject of celebrations, it is with considerable regret that we have found it necessary due to the current COVID-19 setting to cancel our events for the 2021 Research Honours, and also the event to welcome new Companions. Whilst it does not fully substitute for a face-to-face event, the 2021 Research Honours Aotearoa awardees and Companions were sent a beautiful celebration kete gift and flowers as an acknowledgement of their significant achievement.

I know that many people recently have been absorbed in the drafting of responses to Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways Green Paper. We have also welcomed the opportunity to engage with a number of the workshops being run to garner feedback through discussion. The Society’s written submission supports the vision of a RSI system that is adaptable, resilient and connected. We recognise that although the system has delivered considerable benefits to the country, there are important issues to address, particularly to do with inclusivity and a lack of a Te Tiriti-based partnership with Māori, continued under-representation of Māori, Pacific and women throughout the system, a focus on competition over collaboration, excessive precarity and lack of a long-term approach to investment in critical infrastructure, critical functions and related support services. Our submission will be posted on our website in due course.

I will finish by circling back to the subject of people. I am immensely grateful to all my colleagues who work in the Society, all our members, and everyone who has an association with us, and there are many. Thank you for your tautoko support and please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to raise a query or provide feedback.

Ngā manaakitanga,

Paul Atkins
Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive