Study at Aotahi, UC

The whānau at Aotahi would like to congratulate Dr Phil Borell and the Eastern Eagles premier men on winning the Canterbury Rugby League men's premiership and the Pat Smith trophy for the first time in 45 years.

Dr Phil is a proud league man and has built his research portfolio around the game he loves. If he's not on campus, he's probably running around Hampshire Park getting these men fit; enjoy the off-season doc.

20 July 2026 – a day to remember.

Today, Aotahi whānau who happened to be on campus and not teaching gathered with Professor Jeanette King, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts, to officially welcome Dr Teena Henderson as our new Head of School.

It seemed the right thing to do, to simply acknowledge this special milestone and celebrate someone we know, respect and are absolutely thrilled to have leading our school.

Here’s to an exciting new chapter. Nau mai, haere mai, Teena – we’re so pleased you’re at the helm of Aotahi.

Aotahi warmly acknowledges Professor Carl Mika and thanks him for his leadership and service as Head of School. We recognise the care, thought, and commitment he has brought to the role and to the kaupapa of Aotahi.
We also welcome Teena Henderson as the incoming Head of School. As we move through this transition, we look forward to continuing to strengthen Aotahi’s teaching, research, relationships, and collective mahi.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koe Carl, ā, nau mai ki te tumuaki kura hou.

Congratulations to Dinnie Moeahu who was confirmed as a PhD candidate at Aotahi UC yesterday. Thanks to the Independent Assessor Hamuera Kahi & Confirmation Chair Teena Henderson. We wish Dinnie & his PhD supervisors Dr Phil Borell & Dr Madi Davidson all the best.

One of my SuperStars

Meet the author ✨

Madi Williams (Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Kōata, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Rangitāne o Wairau) is a senior lecturer at Aotahi – School of Māori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Canterbury, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha. She completed her doctorate on Ngāti Kuia in 2021 at the University of Canterbury and is the author of Polynesia, 900–1600: An Overview of the History of Aotearoa, Rēkohu, and Rapa Nui (Canterbury University Press, 2021). She is currently working on a book on taniwha with Dr Kirsty Dunn.

Her latest book, 𝗡𝗴𝗮̄𝘁𝗶 𝗞𝘂𝗶𝗮: 𝗛𝗲 𝗣𝘂̄𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲, 𝗛𝗲𝗶 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗢𝗿𝗮 | 𝗔 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, will be published by Auckland University Press on 11 June.

Photo: Melissa Banks

Kātahi rā koe Maddi!

Meet the author ✨

Madi Williams (Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Kōata, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Rangitāne o Wairau) is a senior lecturer at Aotahi – School of Māori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Canterbury, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha. She completed her doctorate on Ngāti Kuia in 2021 at the University of Canterbury and is the author of Polynesia, 900–1600: An Overview of the History of Aotearoa, Rēkohu, and Rapa Nui (Canterbury University Press, 2021). She is currently working on a book on taniwha with Dr Kirsty Dunn.

Her latest book, 𝗡𝗴𝗮̄𝘁𝗶 𝗞𝘂𝗶𝗮: 𝗛𝗲 𝗣𝘂̄𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲, 𝗛𝗲𝗶 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗢𝗿𝗮 | 𝗔 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, will be published by Auckland University Press on 11 June.

Photo: Melissa Banks

Fabulous news! - 30 years ago - she was a student of ours in what was then called 'The Maori Department" at the University of Canterbury, Pauline Harris has now been promoted to Professor at Massey University.
https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/2025-professorial-promotions-announced/?

2025 Professorial promotions announced In the most recent promotion round, eight Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University staff were promoted to Professor and 22 to Associate Professor. The promotions will take effect from 1 January 2026.