Prof Hemi Whaanga BA, MA, PDipLT, PhD

Contact details

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

Qualifications

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

Certifications and Registrations

• Licence, Mentor Supervisor, Massey University

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)

Languages

• Te reo Māori
  Last used: Everyday
  Spoken ability: Excellent
  Written ability: Excellent
• English
  Last used: Everyday
  Spoken ability: Excellent
  Written ability: Excellent

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):

• Jacqui Keelan (AS) (2023). Te aho tapu: The sacred thread.
• Michael Taiapa (CS) (2022). Designing a functionally-focused pedagogically-oriented description of te reo Māori: Exploring the issues.
• Anaha Hiini (AS) (2022). Te reo o Te Arawa.  Panel:  Rangi Mātāmua  (CS)
• Tatere MacLeod (AS) (2022). Te mita o Ngāti Kahungunu. Panel:  Rangi Mātāmua (CS)
• Erana Walker (CS) (2022). Kei hea te tangi a te Tūī? An exploration of kaitiakitanga in urban spaces. 
• Amelia Williams (AS) (2020).  Iwi cultural identity: The praxis of narrative.  Panel:  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:  Rangi Mātāmua (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:  Linda Smith (CS)
• Iraia Bailey (AS) (2019). Ki te kore te hāpori reo, kua tāmate kē te reo.  Panel:  Rangi Mātāmua  (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:  Rangi Mātāmua (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: Sophie Nock (AS)
• Haki Tuaupiki (CS) (2017). E kore e ngaro, he takere waka nui: Te mātauranga whakatere waka me ōna take nunui.  Panel:  Te Taka Keegan (AS)
• Joeliee Seed-Pihama (AS) (2017). Ko wai tō ingoa? The transformative potential of Māori naming narratives.  Panel:  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:  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: Winifred Crombie (CS)
• Jillian Tipene (AS) (2014). Te tuhirau i rehu i ringa - Translating Sacred and Sensitive Texts: An Indigenous perspective.  Panel: Winifred Crombie (CS) and Aroha Yates-Smith (AS)
• Roger Lewis (AS) (2014). The application of critical discourse theory to language revitalisation discourse.  Panel: 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: Winifred Crombie (CS) and Diane Johnson (AS)
• Raukura Roa (AS) (2008). Formulaic discourse patterning in mōteatea.  Panel: Winifred Crombie (CS) & Diane Johnson (AS)

Current Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

• Petera Hudson - Doctor of Philosophy
  Identification of mātauranga and tikanga Māori that have the potential to inform next-generation AI systems, which promote cultural well-being for our

Co-supervisor of:

• Maioha Kara - Doctor of Philosophy
  In Good Relation: Engaging whakapapa and Māori metaphysics
• Tata Lawton - Doctor of Philosophy
  Drowning in my memories: the experience of D Company whānau across generations