The WERO research programme assembles experts in Māori studies, Pacific studies, economics, epidemiology, human geography, sociology and psychology, and will amplify innovation by bringing their knowledge systems together to work toward ending racial oppression in Aotearoa New Zealand. WERO team members are all leaders in their fields of research, have extensive experience of delivering excellent research and are strongly engaged with policy and community end-users.
WERO Research Leads
Associate Professor Waikaremoana Waitoki
Ngāti Mahanga, Ngāti Hako
Associate Professor, Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao, The University of Waikato
Waikaremoana is a clinical psychologist, and President of the New Zealand Psychological Society. Her research includes kaupapa Māori research, hapū ora, Indigenous psychology and Māori health and wellbeing. Waikaremoana is the Scientific Lead for Institutional Responses to Racism and is responsible for the overall project. She is also the theme lead on the projects: Systemic Racism in Health Education, Training and Practice.
Theme Lead
Institutional Responses to Racism
Dr Arama Rata
Ngāruahine, Taranaki, Ngāti Maniapoto
Research Consultant
Dr Arama Rata (Ngāti Maniapoto, Taranaki, and Ngāruahine) is an independent researcher. Dr Rata will lead Whanaungatanga: Intergroup relations and undertake research on relationality across racial difference, ethical remembering and racism in mainstream and social media.
Theme Lead
Whanaungatanga – Intergroup Relations
Associate Professor Rachel Simon-Kumar
Associate Professor at the School of Population Health, The University of Auckland
Associate Professor Rachel Simon-Kumar has a research focus on intersections of ethnicity and gender, diversity policy, and health. Rachel will lead Geographies of Racism and undertake research on environmental impacts of segregation and inter-ethnic racisms.
Theme Lead
Geographies of Racism and Exclusion
Professor Francis L. Collins
Professor of Sociology, Te Puna Mārama, the School of Social Sciences at Waipapa Taumata Rau, The University of Auckland
Professor Francis Collins is a Research Associate of Te Ngira: Institute for Population Research and has extensive international expertise in migration and urban studies. Francis leads the research team looking at Racism and Inequality in Employment. He is involved in projects on recruitment systems, employer preferences and systems of segregation.
Theme Lead
Racism and Inequality in Employment
Research Fellows
Dr Jessica Terruhn; Dr Kyle Tan; Hemopereki Simon, Dr Andrea Edwards and Dr Ritu Parna Roy
WERO Project Manager
Jan Rata
Project Manager for WERO
Jan Rata is an experienced Project Manager and provides all administrative and budget oversight for the project. She will develop, in consultation with the leads, the research plan and will ensure completion of all activities, milestones and outputs.
Key Individuals
Professor Kim Dirks
Professor Kim Dirks studies the impact of urban environments on health and wellbeing.
Professor Tom Roa
Professor Tom Roa (Ngāti Maniapoto). Historian, kaumatua, and Māori language expert.
AProf Polly Atatoa Carr
Associate Professor Polly Atatoa Carr (University of Waikato) is a public health physician and researcher specialising in improving population health and equity. Polly will undertake research on neighbourhood inclusion and wellbeing of social housing tenants.
Dr Dave Maré
Dr Dave Maré (Senior Fellow at Motu Economic and Public Policy Research) has extensive research expertise in the economics of immigration, economic performance of cities, and patterns of labour market adjustment. Dave will undertake research in relation to income and employment inequality and segregation.
Dr Omoniyi Alimi
Dr Omoniyi Alimi (Waikato Management School) has expertise in socio-demographic factors of income inequality. Niyi will undertake research on income and employment inequality and durable inequalities.
AProf Damian Scarf
Dr Damian Scarf is a senior lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Otago. He has expertise in social identity, youth mental health and alcohol consumption.
Professor Michelle Johnson-Jennings
Professor Michelle Johnson-Jennings (Choctaw), focuses on Indigenous community health and epidemiology, transforming historical trauma, cultural identity, and land-based healing.
AProf Jeffery Ansloos
Associate Professor Jeffery Ansloos (Nehiyaw-Ochekwi-Sipi) focuses his research on Indigenous people’s health and psychosocial wellbeing.
Dr Ottilie Stolte
Dr Ottilie Stolte researches poverty, homelessness, health and inequalities.
Dr Justin Phillips
Dr Justin Phillips researches political communication, social media, and media discourse.
AProf Donna Cormack
Dr Donna Cormack (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe) (Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, University of Auckland) has extensive expertise in classification of ethnicity data on inequities and the impacts of racism on Māori health and health inequities.
Dr Logan Hamley
Logan has whakapapa to Whanganui but grew up in Tāmaki. They are an uncle, kdrama watcher and a lecturer at the University of Waikato. They research in, and around Indigenous Psychologies, and the ways that Indigenous/Kaupapa Māori ways of being and knowing can create brighter futures.
PhD Scholars
Bilal Nasier; Byron Williams, Ngahu Potaka, Ara Alam-Simmons, and supported PhD students include: Nuzha Saleem; Joanna Chan, and Zohirul Islam.
Research Assistants
University of Waikato 2024 Summer Interns: Svante Johansson (alongside Dr Waikaremoana Waitoki and Dr Kyle Tan) and Olivia Warrender (alongside Dr Jessica Terruhn).
University of Waikato 2023 Summer Interns: Sophia Wairoa-Harris (alongside Dr Kyle Tan and Dr Waikaremoana Waitoki) and Evalesi Tu’inukuafe (alongside Dr Ritu Roy).
Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga 2022 Summer Interns: Hineana Tihore and Melissa Bradley; and Mengzhu Fu.