PHF Science has long been committed to delivering science that is meaningful and makes a difference for Aotearoa.  

The evolution of Māori Impact at PHF Science represents a significant shift in how science is developed and delivered in partnership with Māori communities. Grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, this work has strengthened Māori leadership within science and supported more responsive, community-centred research approaches.  

Over the past decades, Māori perspectives and tikanga Māori have become increasingly embedded within PHF Science, influencing not only organisational culture, but also the way research is designed, communicated, and applied.  

Momentum accelerated in the early 2000s through work that helped shape national conversations around Indigenous ethics, Māori data sovereignty and culturally grounded research practice.  

A major milestone came in 2019 with the establishment of the Māori Impact Group, which formalised a Treaty-led approach to science and strengthened partnerships with iwi and Māori communities across Aotearoa.  

At the centre of this work is He Wai Māpuna, a flagship Māori-led programme focused on the relationship between environmental conditions and Māori health and wellbeing. Bringing together mātauranga Māori and scientific research, the programme worked alongside iwi and communities to better understand how factors such as water quality, environmental degradation, and access to healthy ecosystems impact whānau and community wellbeing.  

The programme supported the collection and interpretation of environmental and public health information in ways that were locally relevant and culturally meaningful. This helped communities identify priorities, strengthen environmental monitoring capability, and support more informed decision-making around wai, health, and long-term wellbeing outcomes.  

This work demonstrated that combining mātauranga Māori with science can lead to more effective and trusted outcomes for communities. It also reinforced the value of co-designed research where iwi are not participants in the process, but partners in shaping solutions and outcomes.  

Today, Māori Impact continues to strengthen the relationship between science and communities by advancing Māori-led innovation and supporting research that delivers meaningful outcomes for future generations.