2022 Te Puāwaitanga Research Excellence Award: Indigenising psychology profession
Dr Waikaremoana Waitoki, Ngāti Hako, Ngāti Mahanga, of University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, has been presented the Te Puāwaitanga Research Excellence Award for indigenising the psychology profession with intentional space-making for Māori and indigenous values.
A driving force behind curriculum development, Moana has brought mātauranga Māori, te ao Māori and kaupapa Māori approaches together as an alternative to eurocentric psychology practices.
Her exceptional contribution affords psychologists opportunities to learn and to choose tikanga Māori in their practices.
The Whiti te Rā and the Mauri Ora Toko models are being used to address mental health and addiction issues, intergenerational trauma, and to develop resilience and enhanced wellbeing for tamariki experiencing emotional issues.
Moana has also been at the forefront of establishing Māori and indigenous global psychology networks as well as making space for indigenous psychologists in national and international psychological societies.
Te Puāwaitanga Research Excellence Award
For eminent and distinctive contribution to Te Ao Māori.
Citation:
For indigenising the psychology profession with intentional space-making for Māori and indigenous values.