Stacey Ruru,
Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Raukawa
As a first year PhD student at the University of Waikato, I had the opportunity to develop a research proposal that extended my master’s work. My master’s thesis1 was based on how Māori women leaders-maintained wellness in leadership roles. I am now undertaking PhD research which will investigate the experiences of Māori women in leadership and mentoring before, conceptualising a framework for future leaders.
Narratives of Māori women will be gathered using qualitative semi-structured interviews and photo-elicitation methods. Under the manaakitanga of Whakauae Research Services, my PhD research sits under the Rapua Te Ara Rangatira project within the wider Kia Puawai Ake Ngā Uri Whakatupu Programme Grant [HRC 21/716]. Through this project, I want to privilege wāhine perspectives in areas that are primarily considered the domain of men to contribute to Māori women leadership and mentorship.
This year I was awarded a Health Research Council (HRC) Māori Health PhD Scholarship 2023.
Ka nui te mihi ki a Health Research Council mō tēnei hōnore nui. This scholarship provides funding to undertake my PhD research for the next 3 years. Being an HRC recipient will benefit my career as a Māori health researcher.
I have been very fortunate to join a Māori PhD rōpū who are also under the manaakitanga of Whakauae. We meet weekly to kōrero and manaaki each other during our PhD journeys. I have learned a lot from this rōpū and appreciate their manaakitanga.
I would also like to mihi to my PhD supervisors, Associate Professor Bridgette Masters-Awatere, and Dr Amohia Boulton for their support and guidance during my PhD journey so far.
My journey and achievements thus far would not be possible without the aroha, tautoko and manaaki of my immediate family.
1. Ruru, S. M. (2016). Māori women’s perspectives of leadership and wellbeing (Thesis, Master of Applied Psychology (MAppPsy)). University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10289/10635
