Wāhine Toa: Unforgetting Histories and Reimagining Futures of Women’s Leadership in the Hineuru Iwi context

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 9:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Unforgetting Histories and Imagining Futures: Indigenous Narratives in Education Research

Abstract

This paper aligns with the AERA 2026 theme by highlighting the transformative leadership of wāhine Māori within the Hineuru iwi. Using kaupapa Māori theory and indigenous methodologies, it reframes dominant educational narratives through intergenerational oral histories. The study reveals the vital but often overlooked contributions of Hineuru iwi women, whose leadership has shaped tribal resilience, education, and tribal well-being. By encapsulating these voices, the research challenges colonial and patriarchal structures that have historically marginalised indigenous women in academia and tribal life. By interweaving archival sources, genealogy, and lived experiences, the paper theorises a leadership model rooted in mana, kaitiakitanga, and collective uplift. Ultimately, it advocates for epistemological justice and a reimagining of leadership that honours traditional Māori values in contemporary contexts.

Author

• Teracia Smith, Tamatea Pōkai Whenua (Trust)