Kepa Morgan
Projects
Publications
View PublicationsDr Kepa Morgan's (BE, MBA, PhD, CPEng, FIPENZ ) bi-cultural background is rooted in his cultural identity as Ngāti Pikiao of Te Arawa. During his engineering career Kepa has strengthened his understanding of Pikiaoanga while also striving for excellence both professionally and academically. As an indirect result of this combination of identity, interests and expertise, Kepa has found himself at the juncture between Māori aspirations and the engineering profession on many occasions. At times these have been adversarial situations, and sometimes the results have been less than optimal, however in all cases he has benefited from the opportunities gaining an understanding decision making processes and frameworks.
Kepa's involvement with The University of Auckland allows exploration of the interface between Māori and engineering, with research interests that can be understood broadly as Indigenous engineering and technologies. In his research, the focus is on the enhanced outcomes that are possible when the contributions of multiple knowledge systems produce designs and solutions that are unlikely to originate from any knowledge system on its own. Specifically Kepa has developed alternative construction systems and materials (Uku fibre reinforced earth composite) and a decision framework known as the Mauri Model. He is Principal Investigator on the NPM project How do we return the mauri to its Pre-Rena state?
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Experience
| Experience Duration from (year) | Expertise | Description |
|---|---|---|
2003 to 2015 | Applications of the Mauri Model Decision Making Framework have included: 2003 - 2004 SmartGrowth BOP 50 year regional growth strategy with the Combined Tangata Whenua Forum 2005 - 2006 House of Tahu cultural centre evaluation with Craig Pauling and Ngai Tahu Runaka 2005 - 2007 Waiariki Water Quality with Te Arawa whanui 2007 - 2010 Okere Flood Gates Resource Consent for Rotoiti with Ngati Pikiao Environmental Society (TAG) 2010 - 2013 Three Gorges Project evaluation (largest hydro scheme in the world) 2010 - 2011 Aid Project evaluation with Yukich 2010 - 2012 Rotoiti and Rotoma Wastewater Plant Environment Court challenge with NPES (successful) 2011 - 2012 Tarawera Catchment Riperian Area Optimisation with Peacock and Hikuroa 2011 - 2012 Papakainga Infrastructure evaluation (Low Impact Development) with Voyde 2011 - 2013 Waikato Mauri Impacts evaluation (Dairy, Wastewater, Hydro) with Te Aho 2011 - 2014 Hydraulic Fracturing evaluations for Blood Tribe First Nations, and Huntly Coalseam Gas Project 2011 - 2015 Papakainga Housing Solution Comparison (whareuku v. timber frame) with Cheah 2012 - 2015 Rena Disaster evaluation of impact on mauri with Te Arawa ki Tai 2012 - 2015 Papua Wetlands Development evaluations (Asmat & Merauke) with Wambrauw 2013 - 2015 Rotoiti Rotoma Sewage Steering Committee Technical Advisory Group member 2013 - 2014 Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme Expert Witness with Ngati Kahungunu Iwi 2013 - 2015 Climate Change Adaptation in Nepal with Ubels 2013 - 2015 Matiatia Marina Resource Consent evaluation with Piritahi Marae 2014 - 2015 Marae Structure (wharenui) Resilience with Ngati Pikiao 2014 - 2015 Rotorua Pollution Steering Committee Technical Advisory Group member 2015 Marae Structure (wharenui) Resilience with Te Uri O Hau | |
1984 to 2015 | Papakainga and Marae development projects. Indigenous+ infrastructure solutions, timber frame pole housing, whareuku and whareuku hybrid (current research focus). | |
1984 to 2015 | Papakainga and Marae development projects. Indigenous+ infrastructure solutions, timber frame pole housing, whareuku and whareuku hybrid (current research focus). Engineering decision making including the Mauri Model Decision Making Framework and mauriOmeter website development (see Environmental for list of Mauri Model applications). | |
1993 to 2015 | As Operations Manager for Te Runanga O Ngati Pikiao researched and introduced holistic business strategy encompassing training, media communications, transport, traditional arts, social and youth services, hauora, environmental management, spatial planning, research and papakainga development (1993 - 1998). Project evaluation using Cost Benefit Analysis and Mauri Model Decision Making Framework in parallel. Established businesses Mahi Maioro Professionals and assisted with Mauri Oho Mauri Ora and Hike Bike Ako. | |
1995 to 2015 | Contributed at tertiary level developing innovative teaching programmes (1995 onwards at Waiariki Institute of Technology and University of Auckland) and indigenous student and staff support programmes (2003 - 2010 as Associate Dean Maori in Faculty of Engineering). | |
1984 to 2015 | Innovator of indigenous technologies including; Indigenous+ (Low Impact Development implemented a decade before it was conceptualised in USA). Papakainga development techniques for construction solutions Whareuku fibre reinforced earth composite building material and housing solutions Mauri Model Decision Making Framework (acknowledged as exemplar for sustainability indicator sets) | |
1995 to 2015 | Lodged Heritage Protection Authority application in 1995 to recognise kaitiakitanga over Okere / Kaituna which was declined by Minister for the Environment but his decision was later successfully challenged through the High Court in 1999. Expert witness in Environmental Court hearings appearing for Iwi and Hapu seeking to clarify the impacts of development proposals on whenua and iwi mauri. |
Education
| Education Duration from (year) | Degree Type | Degree Title | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
1982 to 1985 | Bachelor | Civil Engineering | The University of Auckland |
2003 to 2008 | Doctorate | Civil Engineering | The University of Auckland |
1996 to 1997 | Graduate Diploma | Management | Deakin University / Association of Professional Engineers and Mathematicians Australia |
1998 to 1999 | Masters | Business Management (Technology) | Deakin University / Association of Professional Engineers and Mathematicians Australia |
1991 to 2005 | Post-graduate | Registered Engineer | New Zealand Registration Act (1908) |
2006 to 2016 | Post-graduate | Chartered Professional Engineer | Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand |
2006 to 2011 | Post-graduate | International Professional Engineer | Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand |