Our research

Our research aims to give prominence to indigenous law and laws affecting indigenous people in New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region.

Taiwan

Dr Guy Charlton has been researching the usufructuary rights of Taiwanese indigenous peoples for several years. In 2018, he visited a number of rural communities in Taiwan to research the law relating to hunting and gathering practices of indigenous peoplesand tribes. This research was conducted as part of a larger project with Dr Daya (Da-we) Kuani, Associate Professor at National Chengchi University (NCCU) and carried out with the assistance of the CIRL Research Associate Tobie Openshaw. Dr Charlton will be returning to Taiwan to continue this research. This project is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan, ROC.

New Zealand

University Intellectual Property Policy and Protection of Mātauranga Māori

In 2018, Dr Lida Ayoubi received a NZ Law Foundation Research Grant for this project. Her research will evaluate the performance of the State and universities regarding their human rights and constitutional obligations towards Māori, particularly under international law and the Treaty of Waitangi, in relation to their intellectual property (IP) policies. The aim of this research is to evaluate the impact of universities’ IP and commercialisation policies on the rights and interests of Māori in relation to the protection of their mātauranga. Through highlighting existing gaps in law and its enforcement through policy, and recommendations for potential law and policy reform, the research will contribute to the protection of mātauranga Māori.

Research projects

Khylee Quince:

• Māori and intoxication – commissioned book chapter
• Māori female offenders – commissioned book chapter
• Nga Kooti Rangatahi – interdisciplinary research project
• Indigenous Legal Education for Aotearoa – joint research collaboration
• Māori and Oranga Tamariki – joint research collaboration