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Kaumatua appointed to Canterbury University’s Violence Research Centre
Published by the Communications and Development Department
5 November 2002
The appointment of a staff member as a kaumatua with the University of Canterbury’s Te Awatea Violence Research Centre is expected to enable the centre to work more closely with Maori communities, the director says.
Dr Marie Connolly, head of the University’s Social Work Department and director of the centre, said that Mr Jim Anglem, a senior teaching fellow, had the status of kaumatua conferred at a recent meeting of Te Runaka ki Otautahi o Kai Tahu, the Christchurch group of Ngai Tahu.
“Ngai Tahu have been closely involved since the inception of the centre and it’s opening last year. They gifted the name Te Awatea (meaning moving from darkness into light) to us. We are keen continue to strengthen the relationship.
Mr Anglem said the move was in line with a partnership model whereby both parties would have a better opportunity to establish closer links. “Appointing a kaumatua helps to formalise commitment.”
It was hoped that having a kaumatua would help when seeking support from Maori communities for researching issues that impacted on Maori, and that conversely, issues of concern to Maori could be brought to the centre for investigation.
Te Awatea Violence Research Centre is the first research centre in New Zealand to look at all types of violence. It was opened by Her Excellency the Honourable Dame Silvia Cartwright the Governor-General in April this year, when she was announced as patron. Dame Silvia will receive an honorary doctorate from the University at the December graduation ceremony.
The centre was opened in response to community concerns at the prevalence and impact of violence. Researchers in the centre will investigate and develop strategies to help reduce violence in New Zealand society.
More information on the Te Awatea Violence Research Centre is available at
Centre contact:
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