2025 Humanities Aronui Medal: Recalibrating the law to recognise Māori interests
Distinguished Professor Jacinta Ruru MNZM FRSNZ (Raukawa, Ngāti Ranginui), of Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka – the University of Otago, has been awarded the Humanities Aronui Medal for internationally acclaimed research on how colonial legal systems ought to recognise Indigenous peoples’ interests in land and water.
As a legal scholar, Jacinta has written or co-authored many books, including Discovering Indigenous Lands: The Doctrine of Discovery in the English Colonies. Her groundbreaking ideas are shaping legal interpretations of the rights and responsibilities of Indigenous peoples around the world.
Within Aotearoa New Zealand, Jacinta’s work focuses on how law and policy can uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi by enabling Māori to care for, own, and manage lands and waters. She has advanced innovative options including granting legal personhood to natural features such as mountains and rivers. She also successfully campaigned for inclusion of tikanga Māori into the teaching at all New Zealand law schools.
Beyond the law, Jacinta has contributed to the broader research sector, supporting and mentoring many Māori scholars and promoting development of research capability and infrastructure as Co-director of the Centre of Research Excellence Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga. She has also coedited anthologies including Ngā Kete Mātauranga: Māori Scholars at the Research Interface and Books of Mana: 180 Significant Māori Non-Fiction Books.
“Law has so much power and potential. It reflects the values of society,” Jacinta says.
“I’ve always been really interested in how our modern legal system can recalibrate to reflect modern values of reconciliation with iwi Māori.”
Jacinta is grateful to Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka – the University of Otago for supporting her career, ever since they offered her an assistant lecturer position in the Faculty of Law after she graduated.
“It was an incredible opportunity to forge a career of teaching and research.”
A turning point in her career was working on her PhD in Canada with a world-leading Indigenous law academic – an experience that Jacinta describes as “very transformative”.
Another highlight was the opportunity to co-lead Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga – New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence.
“It is such an essential institution to empower multidisciplinary Māori research across the whole country,” Jacinta said.
On winning this award, Jacinta says: “It’s an incredible honour. I love that this Medal has the theme of Aronui ‘knowledge that makes us human’. Research in the humanities is vital for the success of our nation.”
“I particularly thank all Māori leaders past and present who have generously given to this country, inspiring me to be brave in putting forward ideas for how we can make, understand, and learn about the laws of this country.”
Humanities Aronui Medal:
For research or innovative work of outstanding merit in the humanities.
Citation:
To Jacinta Ruru for internationally acclaimed research into how state law, policies and institutions can reconcile with Indigenous peoples, and their laws and knowledges.