Ãâ·ÑÉ«ÇéÊÓÆµ

Pitopito k�rero

News

Poutaki M�tauranga M�ori applying M�ori knowledge to services and projects

16 December 2022
Tama Davis and Bernie O'Donnell work with the design and delivery of UniServices-managed services and projects.

UniServices, the research application and commercialisation company of Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Ãâ·ÑÉ«ÇéÊÓÆµ, has appointed two senior MÄ�ori leaders to work with the design and delivery of the portfolio of services and projects it manages.

Tama Davis and Bernie O’Donnell share the role of Poutaki M�tauranga M�ori, which focuses on bringing a Te Ao M�ori and tikanga M�ori lens to UniServices-managed business units that provide research-informed services to the education and health sectors.

“Our role is about helping UniServices step into the journey Waipapa Taumata Rau has started in examining its relationship to mana whenua and to Ti Tiriti o Waitangi,� says Tama. “It’s about examining how we implement the vision of being a tangata Tiriti organisation – a good treaty partner – and what that looks like through our policies, our practices and our accountability to legislation such as the health reforms.�

Photo - Tama
Tama Davis

“Our job is to hone in on the areas where we can apply a strategic lens from a M�ori point of view,� says Bernie. “We have an opportunity to apply research and service methodologies that have a uniquely M�ori or Pacific lens rather than retrofitting programmes to encompass M�ori and Pacific cultural elements.�

Tama is of NgÄ�ti WhÄ�tua, NgÄ�ti Haua and NgÄ�ti Tuwharetoa descent. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge in governing large health organisations, previously the Ãâ·ÑÉ«ÇéÊÓÆµ District Health Board, and now Comprehensive Care Primary Health Organisation, Emerge Aotearoa and Ãâ·ÑÉ«ÇéÊÓÆµ Hospital Foundation.

He is an elected member of the Ng�ti Wh�tua Ōr�kei Trust Board, and whanau director of its social development arm, Whai Maia.

Bernie is of Te Atiawa, NgÄ�ti Mutunga, NgÄ� Ruahinerangi, NgÄ�ti Ruanui and NgÄ�i Tahu descent. He is chair of the Manukau Urban MÄ�ori Authority, a director with the WhÄ�nau Ora Commissioning Agency; co-chair of the board at Te MÄ�tÄ�wai, which promotes te reo MÄ�ori; and chair of the board at He Whenua Taurikura, Ãâ·ÑÉ«ÇéÊÓÆµâ€™s National Centre of Research Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism.

“Our role is about helping UniServices step into the journey Waipapa Taumata Rau has started in examining its relationship to mana whenua and to Ti Tiriti o Waitangi."

Tama Davis, Poutaki M�tauranga M�ori

In their shared role, Bernie and Tama support the UniServices business units, , , , , and . They also support related projects including the , and .

“As Bernie and Tama have pointed out, services for M�ori have largely been based on a deficit model – helping M�ori who are behind,� says UniServices Executive Director of Business Units Toni Laming. “While that remains important, we believe there are opportunities to lead in areas where appropriately applying M�ori knowledge can bring benefits to Aotearoa and the world.�

Tama was born and grew up in the whanau village around ÅŒrÄ�kei Marae, shaped by tradition manifested in waiata and pÅ«rÄ�kau. He was five when the historical events of Bastion Point changed Ãâ·ÑÉ«ÇéÊÓÆµâ€™s perspective on Maori-PÄ�kehÄ� relationships. It changed his perspective as well. After training as a teacher, he moved into mental health and addictions support. He worked in this field for more than 20 years, from kaupapa MÄ�ori organisations through to the NGO sector and the WaitematÄ� District Health Board.

“That’s where I started to shape my understanding of the inequities that face our communities,� says Tama. “The system didn’t recognise the historical trauma that clearly impacted why people were in services. That’s why I got into governance – to have the influence to shift the dial on the systemic processes that have for 180 years disenfranchised a community.�

Bernie was born in Taranaki but mostly grew up in TÄ�maki Makaurau. He worked as a forklift driver until he was 34, when he spent a year studying te reo MÄ�ori full time in Taranaki. He followed that up with media studies and ended up becoming manager of the local MÄ�ori radio station. After some time in Wellington setting up a national advertising agency for MÄ�ori radio, he returned to Ãâ·ÑÉ«ÇéÊÓÆµ in 2001 to manage Radio Waatea, including setting up and running its national newsroom, which was established in 2004.

“My goal was to reflect M�ori news and issues in a way different to the negative portrayals our people were subjected to in the mainstream media,� says Bernie. “I’ve always questioned why we were at the bottom of the heap. When my mokopuna were born, I wanted to make sure everything my generation struggled with wouldn’t be repeated in their generation. If they end up facing the same issues, I’ve done nothing as someone who’s been empowered to make changes in this world. I want a world they can see themselves in, hear themselves in and that elevates their learnings.�

Photo - Bernie
Bernie O'Donnell

Both Tama and Bernie returned to studies later in life. Each separately completed a postgraduate diploma in M�ori development and then an MBA, both at Waipapa Taumata Rau.

A major part of the pair’s role is to ensure that UniServices and its business units embrace the M�ori world and its knowledge without appropriating it.

“We have to be mindful that anytime we’re using Indigenous intelligence, the IP sits where it belongs,� says Tama. “For a long time, M�ori intelligence outside iwi and hapū spaces was typically owned by universities because that was where mostly non-M�ori researchers did research on M�ori. For a tangata Tiriti organisation, there needs to be accountability on the framing of m�tauranga M�ori.�

“We want to build structures that send signals to the whole community that Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Ãâ·ÑÉ«ÇéÊÓÆµ isn’t some high-falutin’ establishment but one they can see themselves in.â€�

Bernie O'Donnell, Poutaki M�tauranga M�ori

Another goal for Bernie and Tama is to increase the visibility and influence of M�ori across all levels of the organisation.

“What would be a win for me would be more M�ori in key positions to influence the processes and to make sure we’re holding each other accountable to the legislative requirements around Te Tiriti,� says Tama.

“At the same time, we want to increase accessibility,â€� says Bernie. “We want to build structures that send signals to the whole community that Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Ãâ·ÑÉ«ÇéÊÓÆµ isn’t some high-falutin’ establishment but one they can see themselves in.â€�

Learn more about the M�ori leaders across UniServices