The He Waka Eke Noa research team and the Cancer and Chronic Conditions (C3) Research Group (University of Otago, Te Whanganui-a-Tara) recently co-hosted a cancer-related qualitative research hui. Taupuhipuhi Kairangahu Tautoko brought together a group of invited kairangahau, most of whom have worked together on various mahi over a number of years. The hui offered a creative space to share current research progress and discuss collective aspirations for matepukupuku-related qualitative research.
The hui co-hosts came up with the idea of convening the hui when they met up at a Matariki Kairangahau Series event last year hosted by Hei Āhuru Mōwai (the national Māori cancer specialists and researchers’ leadership rōpū). After some months of planning, the Taupuhipuhi Kairangahu Tautoko Hui was convened on 11 June 2025 at the Maranui Café meeting room in Lyall Bay, Pōneke. The relaxing location with beautiful sea views – as well as great coffee and kai – was conducive to a productive day of discussion and strategising.
Our He Waka Eke Noa research team was represented at the event by Dr Heather Gifford (Lead Investigator), Gill Potaka-Osborne, Lynley Cvitanovic and Dr John McMenamin. During the morning session, facilitated by Dr Virginia Signal (UoO), four research teams outlined their research project progress, challenges and wins. The He Waka Eke Noa team focused on exploring the successful partnerships developed between our whānau research participants, Gonville Health primary care practice and the researchers. Key to these successful partnerships has been the use of a Kaupapa Māori Appreciative Inquiry research approach across all four phases of the study; Discovery, Dream, Design and Delivery.
In the afternoon, Dr Heather Gifford facilitated a lively session exploring the future focus, potential collaborations and aspirations for Māori cancer qualitative research. The session included a series of presentations from key agencies; Hei Āhuru Mōwai (Co-Chair, Professor Jacquie Kidd), Te Aho o Te Kahu Cancer Control Agency (Gabrielle Nicholson, Manager, System Performance and Innovation) and the Health and Research Collaborative (Dr John McMenamin). Professor Kidd focused on the critical importance of making qualitative literature more accessible. She noted that though there is a significant body of published material centring the whānau voice in qualitative cancer research, this research does not feature in search mechanisms rendering it almost invisible. The importance of raising the profile of research centring the whānau voice, and reinforcing it, cannot be underestimated. Gabrielle Nicholson explored the imperative to write to the needs of health sector influencers in order to connect research closer to policy. Dr John McMenamin highlighted HARC’s overriding interest in translating research into impactful practice and the potential for the whānau voice to influence clinical services.
During these presentations, discussion with other hui participants was wide-ranging with a focus on opportunities for collaborative research and on partnerships in the research translation phase. The rapid expansion of AI raised issues for participants around the mechanisms used to share information, the protection of matauranga Māori and ensuring Māori data sovereignty. We are keen to again meet, likely in the first half of 2026, to consolidate our collective aspirations and a collaborative style of working towards achieving these.
