Professor wins award for ‘tireless contribution’ to Ma¯ori education
An ‘‘outstanding’’ Canterbury researcher has been awarded a top prize for her tireless contribution to Ma¯ori education.
Associate Professor Sonja Macfarlane (Nga¯ti Waewae, Nga¯i Tahu), from the University of Canterbury, will be given the Te Tohu Pae Tawhiti Award for 2017 at the annual New Zealand Association for Research in Education (NZARE) conference in Hamilton today.
‘‘My first reaction was quite surprised and shocked. I got a phone call from one of the members and I asked here ‘what have I done?’
‘‘I’m absolutely humbled and overwhelmed,’’ she said.
Macfarlane, originally from Hokitika, started her career as a teacher.
She comes from a family of teachers – her father was a teacher and her brother teaches in Christchurch.
‘‘I always had a passion for education, Ma¯ori education and kids with disabilities or who are on the margins and have trouble succeeding,’’ she said.
When she’s not advising schools or governmental projects, or teaching education, psychology, counselling, indigenous research and health at university, she is researching Ma¯ori education in several fields.
It comes on the back of another NZARE award Macfarlane picked up last year for her work as the codirector of Te Ru¯ Rangahau – the Ma¯ori Research Laboratory which encourages Ma¯ori research.
Macfarlane works as a senior research fellow for the $35 million National Science Challenge set up by the Government in 2016, working on ways to combat obesity and mental health problems in schools as part of a programme called A Better Start: E Tipu e Rea.
In 2009, Macfarlane developed Te Pikinga ki Runga, a way to encourage teachers to use more Ma¯ori-friendly approaches to teaching.
She said she had been working on ways to help teachers focus on the positives rather than blaming parents for their kids’ bad behaviour.
‘‘[It’s about] working in a way that doesn’t trample on their mana and their dignity.
‘‘If you have to work with a culture other than your own – what is a responsive way to work in that culture?’’
Professor Gail Gillon, who is codirector of A Better Start: E Tipu e Rea, said Macfarlane had put in immense effort towards advancing the cause of Ma¯ori education over the years.
‘‘Her research over many years has focused on advancing Ma¯ori aspirations for our tamariki’s education success and healthy wellbeing,’’ she said.
Macfarlane’s nominator for the 2017 award, Adjunct Professor Wally Penetito, said she had helped many others in the field of Ma¯ori research.
‘‘Associate Professor Macfarlane has produced an outstanding quantum of research and involvement in the education sector over many years.
‘‘Her work at the University of Canterbury is characterised by impressive projects, collaborations, esteem and outputs.’’
Macfarlane is also working on projects to improve children’s language and early literacy development, as well as contributing to Ma¯ori development in education, psychology, counselling and health.
The Te Tohu Pae Tawhiti Award is a taonga (treasure box) in the form of an elaborately carved waka huia and a cash prize of $1500.