Prof Hemi Whaanga staff profile picture

Contact details +6469516288

Prof Hemi Whaanga PhD, MA, PDipLT, BA

Professor and Head of School, Te Putahi-a-Toi

Doctoral Mentor Supervisor
Te Putahi-a-Toi

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

  • Ph: +6469516288
    Location: 2.01, Te Pūtahi a Toi
    Campus: Turitea

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy - University of Waikato (2006)
  • Master of Arts (Applied) with First Class Honours - University of Waikato (1999)
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Second Language Teaching - University of Waikato (1999)
  • Bachelor of Arts - University of Waikato (1997)

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
Project Leader 5 0

Research Outputs

Journal

Hall, MM., Wehi, PM., Whaanga, H., Walker, ET., Koia, JH., & Wallace, KJ. (2021). Promoting social and environmental justice to support Indigenous partnerships in urban ecosystem restoration. Restoration Ecology. 29(1)
[Journal article]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
Calude, A., Stevenson, L., Whaanga, H., & Keegan, TT. (2020). The use of Māori words in National Science Challenge online discourse. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 50(4), 491-508
[Journal article]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
Wehi, PM., Carter, L., Harawira, TW., Fitzgerald, G., Lloyd, K., Whaanga, H., . . . Macleod, CJ. (2019). Enhancing awareness and adoption of cultural values through use of Māori bird names in science communication and environmental reporting. New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 43(3)
[Journal article]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
Kusabs, IA., Hicks, BJ., Quinn, JM., Perry, WL., & Whaanga, H. (2018). Evaluation of a traditional Māori harvesting method for sampling kōura (freshwater crayfish, Paranephrops planifrons) and toi toi (bully, Gobiomorphus spp.) populations in two New Zealand streams. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research. 52(4), 603-625
[Journal article]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
Whaanga, H., Wehi, P., Cox, M., Roa, T., & Kusabs, I. (2018). Māori oral traditions record and convey indigenous knowledge of marine and freshwater resources. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research. 52(4), 487-496
[Journal article]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
Wehi, PM., Cox, MP., Roa, T., & Whaanga, H. (2018). Correction to: Human Perceptions of Megafaunal Extinction Events Revealed by Linguistic Analysis of Indigenous Oral Traditions (Human Ecology, (2018), 46, 4, (461-470), 10.1007/s10745-018-0004-0). Human Ecology. 46(4), 471
[Journal article]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
Wehi, PM., Cox, MP., Roa, T., & Whaanga, H. (2018). Human Perceptions of Megafaunal Extinction Events Revealed by Linguistic Analysis of Indigenous Oral Traditions. Human Ecology. 46(4), 461-470
[Journal article]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
Whaanga, H., & Wehi, P. (2017). Rāhui and conservation? Māori voices in the nineteenth century niupepa Māori. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 47(1), 100-106
[Journal article]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
Wehi, P., Cox, M., Roa, T., & Whaanga, H. (2013). Marine resources in Māori oral tradition: He kai moana, he kai mā te hinengaro. Journal of Marine and Island Cultures. 2(2), 59-68
[Journal article]Authored by: Whaanga, J.
Wehi, PM., Whaanga, H., & Trewick, SA. (2012). Artefacts, biology and bias in museum collection research. Molecular Ecology. 21(13), 3103-3109
[Journal article]Authored by: Trewick, S., Whaanga, J.
Wehi, PM., Whaanga, H., & Trewick, SA. (2012). Artefacts, biology and bias in museum collection research. Molecular Ecology.
[Journal article]Authored by: Trewick, S., Whaanga, J.
Wehi, PM., Whaanga, H., & Roa, T. (2009). Missing in translation: Maori language and oral tradition in scientific analyses of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 39(4), 201-204
[Journal article]Authored by: Whaanga, J.

Book

Whaanga, J., Mato, P., & Keegan, TT. (2021). Project Ātea: Designing and developing Māori digital space. In K. Ruckstuhl, M. Kawharu, & M. Amoamo (Eds.) He Pou Hiringa. (pp. 75 - 87). : Bridget Williams Books
[Chapter]Authored by: Whaanga, J.

Consultancy and Languages

Languages

  • 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):

Anaha Hiini (AS) (2022). Te reo o Te Arawa.  Panel:  Professor Rangi Matamua  (CS)

Tatere MacLeod (AS) (2022). Te mita o Ngāti Kahungunu. Panel:  Professor Rangi Matamua (CS)

Erana Walker (CS) (2022). Kei hea te tangi a te Tūī? An exploration of kaitiakitanga in urban spaces. Panel:  Professor Rangi Matamua (CS)

Amelia Williams (AS) (2020).  Iwi cultural identity: The praxis of narrative.  Panel:  Professor 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:  Professor Rangi Matamua (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:  Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith (CS)

Iraia Bailey (AS) (2019). Ki te kore te hāpori reo, kua tāmate kē te reo.  Panel:  Professor Rangi Matamua  (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:  Professor Rangi Matamua (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: Dr Sophie Nock (AS)

Haki Tuaupiki (CS) (2017). E kore e ngaro, he takere waka nui: Te mātauranga whakatere waka me ōna take nunui.  Panel:  Dr Te Taka Keegan (AS)

Joeliee Seed-Pihama (AS) (2017). Ko wai tō ingoa? The transformative potential of Māori naming narratives.  Panel:  Professor 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: Associate Professor 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: Associate Professor Winifred Crombie (CS)

Jillian Tipene (AS) (2014). Te tuhirau i rehu i ringa - Translating Sacred and Sensitive Texts: An Indigenous perspective.  Panel: Associate Professor Winifred Crombie (CS) and Professor Aroha Yates-Smith (AS)

Roger Lewis (AS) (2014). The application of critical discourse theory to language revitalisation discourse.  Panel: Associate Professor 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: Associate Professor Winifred Crombie (CS) and Dr Diane Johnson (AS)

Raukura Roa (AS) (2008). Formulaic discourse patterning in mōteatea.  Panel: Associate Professor Winifred Crombie (CS) & Dr 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 1 0

Current Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • Petera Hudson - Doctor of Philosophy
    How can AI technologies provide for cultural well-being for whānau and their futures?

Co-supervisor of:

  • Maioha Kara - Doctor of Philosophy
    Iraira: an enquiry in the unknown parameters of energy through indigenous epistemology