Te Atawhai o te Ao

What Te Atawhai o te Ao does

Te Atawhai o Te Ao is an independent Māori research institute based at 248 St Hill Street, Whanganui, New Zealand. The institute operates as a non-profit organization of approximately 12 employees governed by a Whānau Board and led by Director Dr Rāwiri Tinirau (appointed 2017). Its purpose is to function as a community-led, globally recognized indigenous research institute that generates and rediscovers knowledge focused on health and environment for the benefit of Māori people.

The institute's core offering is research services conducted under the Kaupapa Māori Research Framework, a methodology grounded in principles of self-determination (Tino Rangatiratanga), cultural aspiration (Taonga Tuku Iho), culturally-preferred pedagogy (Ako Māori), whānau-centered structure, and growing respectful relationships (Āta). Its research output is organized through multi-year programmes, including the completed He Kokonga Whare (2011-2016, intergenerational trauma and healing) and He Kokonga Ngākau (2017-2021, Māori ways of healing and well-being), and the current He Pounga Waihoe Nā Ō Mātua (2022-2029, structured around five pillars: Wairua, Waiata, Waiora, Waimāori, Waipuna). Specific projects include the Whakatika racism-experience survey (over 2,000 Māori participants), Te Roro brain health study, Te Ara Hā Asthma Self-Management, He Waka Eke Noa violence prevention, kai sovereignty research, and historical trauma studies on Māori Vietnam veterans.

The business model is grant-funded research services rather than commercial revenue. Funding flows primarily from the Health Research Council of New Zealand, with additional support from Ngā Pae o Te Māramatanga, National Science Challenge: Ageing Well, and Mā Te Reo. The institute distributes a small scholarship and community writers awards programme (NZD $5,000-$10,000 per scholarship, NZD $5,000 per writers award) and disseminates findings via publications, digital storytelling, an E-Pānui newsletter, an annual magazine (Pānui), and annual symposiums held at marae venues. Its go-to-market is community-led engagement with iwi, hapū, and whānau, supplemented by university partnerships (University of Otago, Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Auckland, University of Waikato, University of Canterbury, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi) and collaborations with Indigenous and international research networks.

Name

Te Atawhai o te Ao

Legal name

Te Atawhai o Te Ao - Independent Māori Institute for Environment & Health

Website

https://teatawhai.maori.nz

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Te Atawhai o Te Ao is an independent Māori research institute based in Whanganui, New Zealand, conducting Kaupapa Māori community-led research on health and environment for whānau, hapū, iwi, postgraduate students, and Māori community writers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indigenous Health Research

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

akta.pro primary industry

Indigenous, Ethnic & Folk Arts/Heritage Organizations (BPAGAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Tribal Research Universities & Research Centers (Research-Active TCUs) (EDAHANAD)

Keywords

• Indigenous health research
• Māori health studies
• Community-led research
• Environmental health research
• Cultural research methodology

Headquarters

HQ city

Whanganui

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Funding: Te Atawhai o Te Ao operates as a non-profit research institute primarily funded through research grants from government agencies including the Health Research Council of New Zealand, National Science Challenge, Ngā Pae o Te Māramatanga, and Mā Te Reo. Revenue supports research programs, scholarships, and operational costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Te Atawhai o Te Ao is an independent Māori research institute that conducts Kaupapa Māori research focused on environment and health for the benefit of Māori. It delivers long-term research programmes on intergenerational trauma, healing, and well-being (such as He Kokonga Whare, He Kokonga Ngākau, and He Pounga Waihoe Nā ō Mātua), administers scholarships and community writers awards for Māori postgraduate students and writers, and produces publications and educational resources from its research findings.

Product overview

Te Atawhai o Te Ao is an independent Māori research institute that operates as a research services organization rather than a product company. The institute conducts Kaupapa Māori research focused on environment and health, organized through multiple research programmes including He Kokonga Ngākau (Māori Ways of Healing), He Kokonga Whare (Intergenerational Trauma and Healing), and He Pounga Waihoe Nā Ō Mātua (long-term 2022-2029 programme on trauma recovery). The institute also administers scholarship and community writers award programmes, and produces publications, educational resources, and digital storytelling content derived from its research. The primary offerings are research services, grant programmes, and knowledge dissemination products rather than commercial software or technology products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• He Kokonga Ngākau Research Programme A Māori Ways of Healing, Recovery, and Well-being Research Programme (2017-2021) funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand, encompassing four individual research projects including Whakamanu (Marae/Hapū Archiving), Whakapapa (Whānau Narratives), Whakarauora (Whanganui Customary Fishing), and Whakatika (Māori Experiences of Racism).
• He Kokonga Whare Research Programme A Māori Intergenerational Trauma and Healing Research Programme (2011-2016) funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand, investigating recovery from sexual abuse, imprisonment, and cultural disconnection through four individual research projects.
• He Pounga Waihoe Nā ō Mātua Research Programme A long-term research programme (2022-2029) funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand focused on intergenerational trauma, recovery and healing, structured around five research themes: Wairua (spiritual nourishment), Waiata (cultural recovery), Waiora (environmental well-being), Waimāori (social resilience), and Waipuna (physical health).
• Te Roro: Mātauranga Māori Brain Health Study A research project approaching brain health holistically through mātauranga Māori, led by Māori for the benefit of Māori, investigating traditional sources such as whakairo, karakia, and mōteatea to understand Māori views of brain health and well-being.
• He Pounga Waihoe Scholarships and Community Writers Awards Scholarships for Māori Master's and doctoral students ($5,000-$10,000 each) and community writers awards for Māori community-based writers ($5,000 each), supporting research aligned with the He Pounga Waihoe Nā ō Mātua research programme focused on intergenerational trauma and recovery.
• Publications and Educational Resources Research publications, reports, digital storytelling content, and educational materials produced from institute research projects including films, books, literature reviews, and journal articles.
• Whakatika Report A comprehensive survey report capturing the nature, extent and impact of everyday experiences of racism faced by Māori in Aotearoa, based on responses from over 2,000 Māori participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,000 Māori participated in Whakatika Survey documenting experiences of racism
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ngā Wai a Te Tūī, Unitec Institute of Technology LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaboration on He Waka Eke Noa research project (2019-2022) investigating the role of Māori cultural approaches to violence prevention and intervention.
• Pākaitore Historic Reserve BoardminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Research partnership examining the history of Pākaitore to inform the Board's strategic plan and preservation efforts.
• University of OtagocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Collaboration on Te Ara Hā Asthma Self-Management Programme (2016-2018) and He Kura Asthma Support for Māori Tamariki at School (2015-2017) with Dr Tristram Ingham and Bernadette Jones.
• National Science Challenge: Ageing WellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner for Te Roro: Mātauranga Māori brain health study. The research is investigating mātauranga Māori perspectives on brain health, neurodevelopment, and well-being through traditional sources such as whakairo, karakia, and mōteatea.
• Māori Postgraduate Support GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork connecting scholarship recipients for mutual support and collaboration in Māori research.
• Te Puna Oranga, Tū Tama Wahine o TaranakiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity research partners in He Waka Eke Noa violence prevention project, providing community researchers and local knowledge.
• Te Puawai Tapu: Kaupapa Māori Sexuality ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for Tō Tātou Hokakatanga project (2006-2007) developing rangatahi-focused educational resources for sexual and reproductive health.
• Dr Bonnie DuranminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaborator on He Waka Eke Noa project, contributing expertise to violence prevention research.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Māori Indigenous Health Innovation (MIHI): University of Otago's Māori health research unit delivering indigenous health research and workforce development — comparable in Kaupapa Māori methodology, health focus, and university-anchored delivery model.
• James Henare Māori Research Centre: University of Auckland centre advancing Māori health and wellbeing research through indigenous methodologies — comparable in academic partnership model, research focus, and iwi engagement approach.
• Ngā Pae o Te Māramatanga: National Centre of Research Excellence hosted at the University of Auckland focused on indigenous research excellence; serves as both a funder and peer research network for Te Atawhai's programmes.
• Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi: Māori tertiary institution conducting research grounded in mātauranga Māori — comparable in cultural grounding and listed as a direct partner of Te Atawhai.
• Te Rau Matatini: National Māori health workforce research and development centre operating across Aotearoa — comparable as a Māori-led, grant-funded research organisation focused on health and wellbeing outcomes.
• Te Kotahi Research Institute: University of Waikato-based Māori research institute using Kaupapa Māori methodology to address health, education, and social issues for whānau, hapū and iwi — directly comparable in mission, methodology, and target communities.
• Ngāi Tahu Research Centre: University of Canterbury centre conducting research with Ngāi Tahu and other Māori communities on cultural, environmental, and health topics — closely aligned with Te Atawhai's iwi-anchored research model.

Regional players

• Lowitja Institute: Australia's national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research institute — comparable in indigenous-led health research mission and grant-funded non-profit structure, though operating in a different national context.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/teatawhai
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/te-atawhai-o-te-ao

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Te Atawhai o te Ao