How to become a kaupapa Māori researcher
Official title: Kaupapa Māori researcher
Also called: Māori researcher, Indigenous researcher, Researcher
Kaupapa Māori researchers use kaupapa Māori methods and mātauranga Māori to collect, analyse, and communicate information. They work with communities to explore issues, innovate solutions, solve problems and predict trends and need in areas important to Māori.
Main tasks
- Plan and lead wānanga and engagement processes
- Apply kaupapa Māori frameworks to data analysis
- Identify data and evidence to measure research impacts
- Maintain knowledge of Aotearoa history and current affairs
- Consult with cultural and research topic experts
- Prepare and communicate scientific and technical reports
- Advise on kaupapa Māori and other research frameworks
- Protect and promote kaupapa Māori research
How to become one
You need a qualification and experience to become a kaupapa Māori researcher. You need University Entrance to do the study or training for this job. Required: experience in engaging and working with iwi and Māori groups; an understanding of te reo Māori; a bachelor’s degree in cultural studies (Māori or Indigenous Studies) or similar area; experience in Māori research methods and data analysis; experience in te ao Māori and tikanga Māori. Other requirements: a portfolio of work; experience in the area of specialisation; to be fluent in te reo Māori and English; a master’s degree or PhD in the area of specialisation; experience in statistics, data science, data analytics or a similar area; knowledge of regional and iwi approaches to research.
Ways in
- University: Arts & Humanities degrees, Offered by 6 universities in New Zealand
Pay
- Most common pay: $100,985 to $135,344 a year (median $118,171), a TEC estimate before tax.
- Lower: $80,182 a year · Upper: $149,640 a year
- TEC's pay figures are estimates only. TEC says they must not be used to set pay, in pay negotiations or in visa applications.
Related jobs
- Māori medium teacher
- Religious education director
- Resource teacher
- Adult education teacher
- Instructional coordinator
- Resident adviser
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
How do I become a kaupapa Māori researcher?
You need a qualification and experience to become a kaupapa Māori researcher. You need University Entrance to do the study or training for this job. Required: experience in engaging and working with iwi and Māori groups; an understanding of te reo Māori; a bachelor’s degree in cultural studies (Māori or Indigenous Studies) or similar area; experience in Māori research methods and data analysis; experience in te ao Māori and tikanga Māori. Other requirements: a portfolio of work; experience in the area of specialisation; to be fluent in te reo Māori and English; a master’s degree or PhD in the area of specialisation; experience in statistics, data science, data analytics or a similar area; knowledge of regional and iwi approaches to research.
How much does a kaupapa Māori researcher earn in New Zealand?
The Tertiary Education Commission estimates median pay at $118,171 a year, before tax. Most common pay is $100,985 to $135,344 a year.
Sources
- Tertiary Education Commission (Tahatu Career Navigator): Tahatu career ideas: descriptions, tasks, pay estimates, people employed, employment change 2018 to 2023, entry requirements, registration, interest scores (Site scrape 2026-10 (816 career ideas, sitemap lastmod 2026-10-01)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
This content is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahatu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. All or some of the information has been modified by Peernovo. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this content.
Qualification information from NZQA, used under CC BY 3.0 NZ.
This work is based on/includes Stats NZ's data which are licensed by Stats NZ for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. Census data via Figure.NZ.
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Sources: Tertiary Education Commission, Tahatū Career Navigator (career ideas, pay estimates, entry requirements and study options, CC BY 4.0, modified by Peernovo); Stats NZ, 2023 Census (via Figure.NZ) and the National Occupation List (CC BY 4.0); NZQA qualification information (CC BY 3.0 NZ); O*NET interest scores (CC BY 4.0); ILO global generative AI exposure index (CC BY 4.0). Links between career ideas and ANZSCO groups, degree fields and broad job groups are Peernovo's.
These results are not official statistics. They have been created for research purposes from the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), which is carefully managed by Stats NZ.
Graduate outcomes: these results are not official statistics. They have been created for research purposes from the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), which is carefully managed by Stats NZ.
Updated 4 October 2026