Contact details +6469516288
Prof Hemi Whaanga BA, MA, PDipLT, PhD
Professor and Head of School, Te Putahi-a-Toi
Doctoral Mentor Supervisor Te Putahi-a-ToiHe currently leads a Science for Technological Innovation Spearhead (SfTI) NSC ‘Ātea’ project to develop conceptual frameworks for AI, Virtual and Augmented Realities, Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, Indigenous and Māori data sovereignty and digital repositories. He is also co-lead with Professor Jason Lewis (Concordia University Canada) on the Abundant Intelligences research program (https://www.indigenous-ai.net/abundant), a Canadian New Frontiers of Research Fund - Transformation Grant, to develop advance methods for improving AI that better serves Indigenous communities and others through exploring and developing culturally-grounded AI systems.
Dr Whaanga (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mamoe, Waitaha) is a linguist who has more than 20 years’ experience as a Māori educator focused on linguistics, te reo Māori, mātauranga Māori, Māori astronomy, ICT and ethics. He has a particular interest in multi-method techniques, methodologies and processes that analyse, develop and protect our mātauranga and reo in a range of linguistic, cultural and digital contexts. He has worked as a project leader and researcher on a range of projects including curriculum development, AI and VR, ICT and digital repositories, ethics and digitisation, technology, taxonomy and naming, and Māori astronomy.
Professional
Contact details
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Ph: +6469516288
Location: 2.01, Te Pūtahi a Toi
Campus: Turitea
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts - University of Waikato (1997)
- Master of Arts (Applied) with First Class Honours - University of Waikato (1999)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Second Language Teaching - University of Waikato (1999)
- Doctor of Philosophy - University of Waikato (2006)
Certifications and Registrations
- Licence, Mentor Supervisor, Massey University
Research Expertise
Research Interests
Mātauranga Māori; Māori astronomy; ICT and Mixed Realities; Ethics, processes and procedures associated with the digitisation of indigenous knowledge and ICT; Traditional Ecological Knowledge; Linguistics - discourse relations in written and spoken Māori; Language curriculum and syllabus design.
Thematics
21st Century Citizenship
Area of Expertise
Field of research codes
Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing (080100):
Astronomical and Space Sciences (020100):
Cultural Studies (200200):
Discourse and Pragmatics (200403):
Information And Computing Sciences (080000):
Language Studies (200300):
Languages, Communication And Culture (200000):
Linguistics (200400):
Maori Cultural Studies (200207):
Physical Sciences (020000):
Te Reo Maori (Maori Language) (200321):
Technology (100000):
Virtual Reality and Related Simulation (080111)
Research Projects
Summary of Research Projects
| Position | Current | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Approver | 3 | 0 |
| Key Individual | 1 | 0 |
| Key Researcher / Named Investigator / Associate Investigator | 1 | 0 |
| Notification Recipient | 1 | 0 |
| Project Leader | 5 | 1 |
Research Outputs
Journal
[Journal article]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
[Journal article]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
[Journal article]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
[Journal article]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
[Journal article]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
Book
[Chapter]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
[Chapter]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
[Chapter]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
[Chapter]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
[Chapter]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
Conference
[Conference]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
[Conference]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
Consultancy and Languages
Languages
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Te reo Māori
Last used: Everyday
Spoken ability: Excellent
Written ability: Excellent -
English
Last used: Everyday
Spoken ability: Excellent
Written ability: Excellent
Teaching and Supervision
Graduate Supervision Statement
My research interests include: linguistics, te reo Māori, mātauranga Māori, Māori astronomy, ICT and ethics. I am available to supervise Doctorates and Masters in research related to my areas of interest and expertise.
List of previous doctoral supervisions from the University of Waikato (NB. CS - Chief Supervisor; AS - Associate Supervisor):
- Jacqui Keelan (AS) (2023). Te aho tapu: The sacred thread.
- Michael Taiapa (CS) (2022). Designing a functionally-focused pedagogically-oriented description of te reo Māori: Exploring the issues.
- Anaha Hiini (AS) (2022). Te reo o Te Arawa. Panel: Rangi Mātāmua (CS)
- Tatere MacLeod (AS) (2022). Te mita o Ngāti Kahungunu. Panel: Rangi Mātāmua (CS)
- Erana Walker (CS) (2022). Kei hea te tangi a te Tūī? An exploration of kaitiakitanga in urban spaces.
- Amelia Williams (AS) (2020). Iwi cultural identity: The praxis of narrative. Panel: Rangi Matamua (CS)
- Kalei Nuuhiwa (AS) (2020). Kaulana Mahina - He ha'awina ho'omana: A Hawaiian worldview of the lunar calendar: Empowering approaches to ceremony & ritual. Panel: Rangi Mātāmua (CS)
- Apanui Skipper (AS) (2020). Te kawa tāpunapuna i ngā hau o Tāwhirimātea – The validation, revitalisation and enhancement of Māori environmental knowledge of weather and climate. Panel: Linda Smith (CS)
- Iraia Bailey (AS) (2019). Ki te kore te hāpori reo, kua tāmate kē te reo. Panel: Rangi Mātāmua (CS)
- Tammy Hailiopua Baker (AS) (2019). The development and function of Hana Keaka (Hawaiian Medium Theatre): A tool for storytelling, reclaiming history, language revitalization, and the empowerment of Hawaiian identity. Panel: Rangi Mātāmua (CS)
- Ngaire Tihema (CS) (2018). The teaching and learning of te reo Māori in tertiary institutions in Aotearoa / New Zealand: Beliefs, attitudes, practices and impact. Panel: Sophie Nock (AS)
- Haki Tuaupiki (CS) (2017). E kore e ngaro, he takere waka nui: Te mātauranga whakatere waka me ōna take nunui. Panel: Te Taka Keegan (AS)
- Joeliee Seed-Pihama (AS) (2017). Ko wai tō ingoa? The transformative potential of Māori naming narratives. Panel: Linda Smith (CS)
- Tom Roa (CS & AS) (2016). An examination of the significance of inter-propositional relations in translation theory and practice with particular reference to Māori-English and English-Māori translation. Panel: Winifred Crombie (CS – retired 2015)
- Murray Peters (AS) (2014). Reclaiming the Māori language for future generations: flax root perspectives. Tīkina te mana o te reo Māori: Te pūtaketanga o te pā harakeke. Panel: Winifred Crombie (CS)
- Jillian Tipene (AS) (2014). Te tuhirau i rehu i ringa - Translating Sacred and Sensitive Texts: An Indigenous perspective. Panel: Winifred Crombie (CS) and Aroha Yates-Smith (AS)
- Roger Lewis (AS) (2014). The application of critical discourse theory to language revitalisation discourse. Panel: Winifred Crombie (CS)
- Keao NeSmith (AS) (2012). The teaching and learning of Hawaiian language and culture in public high schools and tertiary level schools in Hawai‘i: Issues relating to linguistic and cultural continuity and discontinuity. Panel: Winifred Crombie (CS) and Diane Johnson (AS)
- Raukura Roa (AS) (2008). Formulaic discourse patterning in mōteatea. Panel: Winifred Crombie (CS) & Diane Johnson (AS)
Prof Hemi Whaanga is available for Masters and Doctorial supervision.
Summary of Doctoral Supervision
| Position | Current | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Main Supervisor | 1 | 0 |
| Co-supervisor | 2 | 0 |
Current Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
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Petera Hudson
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Doctor of Philosophy
Identification of mātauranga and tikanga Māori that have the potential to inform next-generation AI systems, which promote cultural well-being for our
Co-supervisor of:
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Maioha Kara
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Doctor of Philosophy
In Good Relation: Engaging whakapapa and Māori metaphysics -
Tata Lawton
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Doctor of Philosophy
Drowning in my memories: the experience of D Company whānau across generations