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Mentoring guidelines for researchers

These guidelines draw on Māori, Pasifika and Pākehā perspectives to offer a unique framework for mentoring in the context of an increasingly diverse Aotearoa New Zealand.

Effective mentoring is valuable at all stages of a researcher’s career.  Whilst developed at the request of the Society’s Early Career Researcher group, it is anticipated that even experienced mentors will benefit from the guidelines given the increasing diversity of the Aotearoa New Zealand research community.

Enhanced mentoring practice also promises to make an important contribution to improving equity in the achievement and professional mana of researchers from groups that may have been historically disadvantaged.

The guidelines are freely available to be used by anyone or any group who find them helpful, but do not constitute formal advice of Royal Society Te Apārangi.

Mentoring guidelines

The mentoring guidelines document He waka eke noa: Mentoring in the Aotearoa New Zealand research community is available in two formats: 

These guidelines were published in July 2017.

Review date 

The guidelines are scheduled for review in 2020.

Working group members

The working group members who led the development of the guidelines were:

  • Dr Jane Allison (convenor), Royal Society Te Apārangi Early Career Researcher Forum Committee Chair
  • Dr Philip Steer, Royal Society Te Apārangi Early Career Researcher Forum Committee Vice-Chair
  • Associate Professor Daniel Stouffer, Royal Society Te Apārangi Early Career Researcher Forum Committee Vice-Chair
  • Dr Melinda Webber, The University of Auckland
  • Distinguished Professor Peter Hunter, FRSNZ, The University of Auckland
  • Professor Richard Le Heron, FRSNZ, The University of Auckland
  • Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith, FRSNZ, University of Waikato
  • Professor Margaret Brimble, FRSNZ, The University of Auckland