Challenge Co-Director
Ruth has played several significant roles within the building sector, most recently in the BRANZ Research Strategy Group as the Construction Systems Working Group Project Manager. She was also Executive Officer for the Independent Research Association of New Zealand as well as being one of the BRANZ representatives on the IRANZ committee
Challenge Co-Director (Tangata Whenua)
Ngāti Haaua, Ngāpuhi, Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Raukawa
Rihi comes to the Challenge from the Ngā Wai ā te Tui Māori and Indigenous Research Centre, Te Whare Wananga o Wairaka – Unitec. Rihi’s research ideas and knowledge are committed to developing and empowering whānau to grow whānau agency and capability skills.
Co-Chair
Ngāti Kuia te Iwi, Kurahaupo te Waka
Gena is the technical lead for the Iwi Leaders Group for Housing of the National Iwi Chairs Forum working with and for iwi on housing issues, promoting active treaty partnership with Crown agencies, and influencing appropriate policy across the sector. Gena also leads iwi environmental management for large infrastructure projects which have successfully implemented a treaty partnership in a public private partnership (PPP). She is involved in a range of innovative boards and advisory groups including the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu.
Co-Chair
Hope has nearly 20 years’ experience in affordable and social housing, including community housing, private property, and central government. She is currently Emerge Aotearoa’s national housing manager. Emerge Aotearoa provides emergency housing and support services and long-term social housing for whānau and individuals from Whangarei to Christchurch. Ms Simonsen is also the chair of the Auckland Community Housing Provider Network – a network of 21 housing providers in Tāmaki Makaurau. She was previously chair of Monte Cecilia Housing Trust for six years.
Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Huia, Ngai Te Rangi, Ngāti Toarangatira
Rawiri hails from Maketu in the Bay of Plenty. He was General Manager Māori Partnerships at the Greater Wellington Regional Council, General Manager Māori Strategy at GNS Science, and he has also held roles at the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (MoRST) and Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST). Rawiri is a qualified Independent Environmental Hearing Commissioner and has served on a number of review panels and hearings. Currently Rawiri is working with Kāinga Ora to develop partnerships with Ngāti Toa amongst other initiatives. He is currently a member of Ngā Kaihautu Tikanga Taiao with the EPA and has previously held a number of governance roles with Greater Wellington Regional Council, Chair of Orotokare Trust, Kapiti Island Tours Ltd, Whitireia Park Board, and Chair of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna.
Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa
Lena has worked as a Planner since 1999, primarily working with local government, iwi authorities, and community organisations. She is a Lecturer at the School of Architecture and Planning, University of Auckland. Her specialist teaching, supervisory, and research interests include:
Lena’s research contributes to the broader discipline of indigenous planning and her PhD study is focused on the pursuit of Tino Rangatiratanga in the 21st Century.
Murray, originally from Motueka, is a former NIWA Chief Scientist. His research career included work in the UK, Germany, US, Canada and Antarctica. Murray has skills in governance, environmental research, and science management. As part of his role in NIWA, he was involved in setting up and overseeing multi-agency collaborations including the Natural Hazards Platform, The NZ Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre, and the National e-Science Infrastructure. Murray has also chaired the BRANZ Levy Allocation Advisory Group. He currently lives in Tasman and is Deputy Chair of the Nelson Marlborough Department of Conservation Board and a Trustee of the Tasman Environmental Trust.
Andrew held several senior roles in Europe before relocating to New Zealand in 1994. He joined Fletcher Challenge in 1995 and became Chief Executive of the Building Products and Steel Group in 2001. He joined the Rank Group in 2006 where he was involved in the acquisition and management of the Evergreen Packaging businesses in the USA, as well as managing the Carter Holt Harvey Pulp, Paper and Packaging assets in New Zealand. Andrew is currently Chair of the Building Information Modeling (BIM) Acceleration Committee, a Director of the New Zealand Shareholders’ Association and Chair of its Auckland Branch, and a member of the Advisory Boards of Dempsey Wood Civil Ltd as well as Avertana Ltd.
Hope is an experienced Māori leader with extensive governance experience and a background in public health research, including wider housing and community issues. She is a ministerial appointment on the National Ethics Advisory Committee and president of Ikaroa Region Māori Women’s Welfare League. Dr Tupara is also a former chair of Te Rūnanga o Turanganui a Kiwa and Ngāi Tāmanuhiri Iwi Trust, and was an iwi chair on the Whānau Ora Partnership Group. The Whānau Ora Partnership Group, made up of equal numbers of iwi chairs and government ministers, provides strategic leadership for Whānau Ora including the Whānau Ora Outcomes Framework.
Programme Co-Leader
Dr Kay Saville-Smith (CRESA)
Contact: kay@cresa.co.nz
Programme Co-Leader and Kaupapa Maori Research Lead
Dr Fiona Cram (Katoa Ltd)
Contact: fionac@katoa.net.nz
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator Dr Kay Saville-Smith (CRESA)
Contact: kay@cresa.co.nz
Researchers
Dr Fiona Cram (Katoa Ltd)
Dr Lynn Riggs (MOTU)
Dr Ganesh Nana (BERL)
Dr Gauri Nandedkar (University of Waikato/Independent researcher)
Principal Investigators
Ian Mitchell (Livingston Associates Ltd)
Contact: ian.mitchell@Livingstonassociates.co.nz
Dr Michael Rehm (University of Auckland)
Contact: m.rehm@auckland.ac.nz
Researchers
Dr Fiona Cram (Katoa Ltd)
Dr Kay Saville-Smith (CRESA)
Dr William Cheung (University of Auckland)
Principal Investigator
Dr Bev James (Public Policy & Research Ltd)
Contact: bev@bevjames.nz
Kaupapa Maori Research Lead
Dr Fiona Cram (Katoa Ltd)
Researchers
Dr Kay Saville-Smith (CRESA)
Dr Tepora Emery (Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology)
Dr Patrick Barrett (University of Waikato)
Dr Elsie Ho (Associate University of Auckland/CRESA)
Dr Tara Coleman (Independent researcher)
James Berghan (University of Otago)
Anna Adcock (Victoria University of Wellington)
Principal Investigator
Vicki White (BRANZ)
Contact: Vicki.White@branz.co.nz
Researchers
Dr Kay Saville-Smith (CRESA)
Dr Tepora Emery (Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology)
Dr Lynn Riggs (MOTU)
Dr Nigel Isaacs (School of Architecture, Victoria University of Wellington)
James Berghan (University of Otago)
Anna Adcock (Victoria University of Wellington)
Principal Investigator
Ian Mitchell (Livingston Associates Ltd)
Contact: ian.mitchell@Livingstonassociates.co.nz
Researchers
Dr Fiona Cram (Katoa Ltd)
Dr Kay Saville-Smith (CRESA)
Dr Tepora Emery (Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology)
Dr Bev James (Public Policy & Research Ltd)
Patricia Austin (University of Auckland)
James Berghan (University of Otago)
Anna Adcock (Victoria University of Wellington)
UIKI -Programme Co-leader and Te Whare Kahui Project Leader
Rau Hoskins (Unitec Institute of Technology)
Contact: rhoskins@unitec.ac.nz
(UIKI) Marae ki te Kāinga Project Leader
Rihi Te Nana (Unitec Institute of Technology)
Contact: rtenana@unitec.ac.nz
UIKI Programme Co-leader and Rangatahi ki te Kāinga Project Co-leader
Prof Jenny Lee-Morgan (Unitec Institute of Technology)
Contact: jleemorgan@unitec.ac.nz
(UIKI) Rangatahi ki te Kāinga Project Co-leader
Jacqueline Paul (Unitec Institute of Technology)
Contact: jaackiepaul@gmail.com
(UIKI) Kāinga Rawa Project Leader
Irene Kereama-Royal (Unitec Institute of Technology)
Contact: anewa.royal@gmail.com
Programme Co-Leaders
Dr Sophie Nock (Waikato University)
Contact: Sophie.Nock@waikato.ac.nz
Prof John Oetzel (Waikato University)
Contact: John.oetzel@waikato.ac.nz
Programme Co-Leaders
Willie Edwards (Taumata Associates)
Contact: wjwedwards@gmail.com
Mihi Ratima (Taumata Associates)
Contact: mihiratima@gmail.com
Programme leader
Dr John Reid (Ngai Tahu Research Centre, University of Canterbury)
Contact: John.Reid@canterbury.ac.nz
Programme leader
Dr Fiona Cram (Katoa Ltd)
Contact: fionac@katoa.net.nz
Dr Tepora Emery (Toi Ohomai)
Contact: Tepora.Emery@toiohomai.ac.nz
See profiles of the Kāinga Tahi, Kāinga Rua Research Team at Our Research Team.
Programme Lead
Jonathan Kilgour (National Institute of Demographic and Economic Analysis, University of Waikato)
Contact: jonathan.kilgour@waikato.ac.nz
Principal Investigator
Kym Hamilton (Kaarearea Institute for Change)
Contact: kym.hamilton001@gmail.com
Researcher
Aramanu Ropiha
Principal Investigators
James and Amy Whetu (Whetu Consulting Group)
Contact: james@whetugroup.co.nz / amy@whetugroup.co.nz
Researcher
Haupai Montgomery
Principal Investigator
Dr John Ryks (Karearea Institute for Change)
Contact: john.ryks@gmail.com
Researcher
Moana Rarere (National Institute of Demographic and Economic Analysis)
Programme Lead
Dr Mike Mackay (AgResearch / Adjunct Lincoln University)
Contact: mike.mackay@agresearch.co.nz / michael.mackay@lincoln.ac.nz
Principal Investigator
Emeritus Professor Harvey Perkins (People and Places Limited / The University of Auckland)
Contact: harvey@peopleandplaces.co.nz / h.perkins@auckland.ac.nz
Researchers / Advisors
Dr Mike Mackay (AgResearch)
Tracy Nelson (AgResearch)
Dr Jude Wilson (Jude Wilson Consultancy)
Principal Investigator
Dr Nick Taylor (Nick Taylor and Associates)
Contact: nick@tba.co.nz
Researchers / Advisors
Dr Mike Mackay (AgResearch)
Dr Jude Wilson (Jude Wilson Consultancy)
Associate Professor Malcolm Campbell (University of Canterbury)
Principal Investigator
Kym Hamilton (Karearea Institute for Change)
Contact: kym.hamilton001@gmail.com
Advisors
Dr Mike Mackay, Jonathan Kilgour, Maire Kipa, James Morrison, Darrell Chick, Benita Wakefield, Julian Phillips
Community Researcher: Kym Hamilton (Karearea Institute for Change)
Principal Investigator
Dr Nick Taylor (Nick Taylor & Associates)
Contact: nick@tba.co.nz
Researchers / Advisors
Dr Mike Mackay (AgResearch)
Dr Jude Wilson (Jude Wilson Consultancy)
Associate Professor Malcolm Campbell (University of Canterbury)
PhD Candidate: Alyssa Ryan (University of Otago)
Contact: ryaal830@student.otago.ac.nz
Lead Supervisor: Dr Sean Connelly (University of Otago)
Supervisor: Professor Etienne Nel (University of Otago)
Advisor: Dr Mike Mackay (AgResearch)
See profiles of the Principal Investigators at Our Research Team.
Programme Co-Leader, Principal Investigator
Dr Amanda Yates (AUT)
Contact: Amanda.yates@aut.ac.nz
Programme Co-Leader, Principal Investigator
Dr Rita Dionisio (University of Canterbury)
Contact: rita.dionisio@canterbury.ac.nz
Project Lead
Dr Amanda Yates
Contact: Amanda.yates@aut.ac.nz
Research team
Dr Andrew Burgess (AUT)
Dr Rita Dionisio (University of Canterbury)
Dr Rebecca Jarvis (AUT)
Dr Angus Macfarlane (University of Canterbury)
Dr John Reid (University of Canterbury)
Andrea Stocchero (Scion)
Dr Grace Walker (University of Otago)
Dr Jay Whitehead (Matatihi)
Dr Amanda Yates (AUT)
Project Lead
Dr Kelly Dombroski (University of Canterbury)
Contact: kelly.dombroski@canterbury.ac.nz
Research team
Dr Gradon Diprose (Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research)
Dr Kelly Dombroski (University of Canterbury)
Bailey Peryman (University of Canterbury)
Dr Matt Scobie (University of Canterbury)
Project Lead
Dr Gradon Diprose (Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research)
Contact: DiproseG@landcareresearch.co.nz
Research team
Martine Barnes (University of Canterbury)
Dr Gradon Diprose (Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research)
Dr Kelly Dombroski (University of Canterbury)
Bailey Peryman (University of Canterbury)
Dr Emma Sharp (University of Auckland)