I am a Senior Lecturer in Te Kura Māori in the Faculty of Education. My research interests include youth, education, health and Māori development. I am particularly interested in Indigenous – ethnic minority youth and how existent issues within the community influence life experience and the articulation of that experience. Historically my research is conducted through a sociological consideration of social injustice issues and deploys qualitative and critical research methodologies which include the Indigenous epistemology Kaupapa Māori. I am grounded in my Māori community Te Mahia where I grew up on our whānau farm which we continue to manage. Like many other Indigenous scholars I am involved in supporting my community through acting as an advocate for our Indigenous rights and liaising between our people and various institutions, leading and participating in research and writing projects and mentoring the younger generation.