MECE Leadership Bio

Te Tuhi Robust

Te Tuhi Robust graduated with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Auckland in 1968 and completed a Master of Education in Maori Education (Honours) with Second Class Honours in 2000. He commenced his Doctor of Education studies in 2001 in the School of Education now the Faculty of Education. His EDD research was supervised by Professor Stuart McNaughton and involved the investigation/examination of the development of indigenous infrastructure in the University institution. Te Tuhi was a Teaching Fellow of the Woolf Fisher Research Centre and Research Fellow of the International Research Centre for Maori and Indigenous Education in 1999 at the University of Auckland.

Te Tuhi's research focuses on the development of indigenous infrastructure in the university institution drawing on an examination of the University of Auckland and the University of British Columbia models that represent a 'virtual' or dispersed type model and a concentrated model respectively. These universities have come from different perspectives and have been informed in their development by a series of reports that aim to address indigenous presence in the institution.

This background of work experience is based on Kaupapa Maori/Maori philosophy and practice. A former chairman of a Tribal Trust whose activity included iwi/tribal development that specifically focuses on its relationship to the Crown. Most recent research in Maori education has evolved further in the analysis of government policy and its impact and responsiveness to the Maori community. Throughout his doctoral studies Te Tuhi continued to explore education in New Zealand and other countries such as Australia and Canada and is currently the Director of the James Henare Maori Research Centre at the University of Auckland.

He has more recently travelled widely nationally and internationally and contributed within an international context in Canada. He is of Ngapuhi-Nui-Tonu and Ngati Porou tribal descent.

---