Staff Members

Mr Mohi Rua

Role: Lecturer Qualifications: BSocSc, BSocSc (Hons), MSocSc, PGDipPsych (Community), PhD Candidate Email: mrua@waikato.ac.nz Location: J1.17 Contact: 6187

Research Interests:

Ko Maungapohatu taku maunga
Ko Ohinemataroa taku awa
Ko Waikirikiri taku marae
Ko Hamua taku hapu
Ko Tuhoe taku Iwi

My general research interests include the critique of Maori cultural patterns and behaviours as a vehicle to understanding Maori health and wellbeing through the discipline of psychology. This includes using customary Maori practices to inform mainstream psychological training and theory.

My PhD focuses on the notion that Maori men’s health is relative to their relationship with family, friends and significant others. It's comprised of two separate yet interrelated studies the first of which has been completed and the second coming to an end. I hope to submit October 2012.

Some research highlights include the Marsden funded 'Ta Moko project' with Prof Ngahuia Te Awekotuku and MPRU Director, Assoc Prof Linda Waimarie Nikora. It investigated the origins, significance, technology and practice of moko from pre-contact period to contemporary times. It culminated in the publication of "Mau Moko: The World of Maori Tattoo" (2007). Another highlight was the Marsden funded ‘Bloke Culture and the Media’ project with Prof Darrin Hodgetts. It investigated the way men used media to develop a sense of identity and self as a “bloke”. The FRST funded 'Maori Migration' project was significant as well as it considered the challenges Maori faced in moving away from their tribal homelands, the impact this had and the coping strategies employed to deal with the physical and cultural shift. We also investigated the impact this 'migration' and movement of resource had on communities left behind.

Selected Publications:

Some publications in the last few years...

Hodgetts, D., Nikora, L. W., & Rua, M. (2011). Maori men and the indirect procurement and sharing of prescription medications. Alternative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 7(2), 152-162.

Edge, K., Nikora, L. W., & Rua, M. (2011). Different Coloured Tears: Dual cultural identity and tangihanga. MAI Review(1), 1-16.

Nikora, L. W., Hodgetts, D., Carlson, T., & Rua, M. (2011). Maori and Medications : What happens when the pills go home? Alternative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 7(2), 87-99.

Te Awekotuku, N., Nikora, L. W., Rua, M., & Karapu, R. (2010). Mau Moko: Ie tatouage du Monde Maori. Papeete, Tahiti: Auvent des Iles. (French language version).

Hodgetts, D., & Rua, M. (2010). What does it mean to be a man today?: Bloke culture and the media. American Journal of Community Psychology, 45(1-2), 155-168.

Nikora, L. W., Te Awekotuku, N., Rua, M., Temara, P., Maxwell, T. K., Murphy, E., . . . Moeke-Maxwell, T. (2010). Tangihanga: The Ultimate Form of Maori Cultural Expression - Overview of a Research Programme. In J. S. Te Rito & S. M. Healy (Eds.), Proceedings of the 4th International Traditional Knowledge Conference 2010 (pp. 400-405). Auckland: Nga Pae o Te Maramatanga: New Zealand's Maori Centre of Research Excellence.


Te Awekotuku, N., Nikora, L. W., & Rua, M. (2010). Moko Maori: Skin Modification. In M. Maynard (Ed.), The Berg Encyclopedia of World Dress & Fashion: Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands (Vol. 7 pp. 267-272). Oxford, UK Berg Publishers.

Rua, H., Rua, M., Te Awekotuku, N., & Nikora, L. W. (2010). Waikirikiri Marae: Share experiences of the wharemate. In J. S. Te Rito & S. M. Healy (Eds.), Proceedings of the 4th International Traditional Knowledge Conference 2010 (pp. 421-428). Auckland: Nga Pae o Te Maramatanga: New Zealand's Maori Centre of Research Excellence.

Groot, S., Hodgetts, D., Nikora, L. W., & Rua, M. (2010). Turangawaewae: Culture, Identity and Belonging for Maori Homeless People. In J. S. Te Rito & S. M. Healy (Eds.), Proceedings of the 4th International Traditional Knowledge Conference 2010 (pp. 125-133). Auckland: Nga Pae o Te Maramatanga: New Zealand's Maori Centre of Research Excellence.

Levy, M., Nikora, L. W., Masters-Awatere, B., Rua, M., & Waitoki, M. (Eds.). (2008). Claiming Spaces: Proceedings of the 2007 National Maori and Pacific Psychologies Symposium. Hamilton: Maori & Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato.

Hodgetts, D., & Rua, M. (2008). Media and Community Anxieties about Men's Interactions with Children. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology: Special Issue: Mediated Communities, 18(6), 527-542.

Nikora, L. W., Rua, M., Te Awekotuku, N., Guerin, B., & McCaughey, J. (2008). Social consequences of Tuhoe migration: Voices from home in Te Urewera. MAI REVIEW (2).

Levy, M., Nikora, L. W., Waitoki, M., Rua, M., & Masters-Awatere, B. (2008). 2007 National Maori and Pacific Psychologies Symposium: Claiming Spaces. The Bulletin 110(May), 8-12.

Rua, M., & Nikora, L. W. (2008). ‘Spill-over’ of sustainable practices - a PhD proposal. The Bulletin 110(May), 13-14.

Te Awekotuku, N., Nikora, L. W., Rua, M., & Karapu, R. (2007). Mau Moko: The world of Maori tattoo. Auckland: Penguin Publishing.

Nikora, L. W., Rua, M., & Te Awekotuku, N. (2007). Renewal and Resistance: Moko in contemporary New Zealand. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 17(6), 477-489.

Guerin, P., Nikora, L. W., & Rua, M. (2006). Tuhoe on the move: Regional mobility. New Zealand Population Review, 32(2), 65-90.

Te Awekotuku, N., Nikora, L. W., & Rua, M. (2005). Wearing Moko - Maori facial marking in today's world. In N. Thomas & A. Cole & B. Douglas (Eds.), Tatau/Tattoo - Bodies, art and exchange in the Pacific and Europe. London, England: Reaktion

Nikora, L. W., Rua, M., Duirs, A., Thompson, K., & Amuketi, T. (2005). Te Rau Puawai 2002-2004: An Evaluation. A report prepared for the Ministry of Health & Massey University: Maori & Psychology Research Unit.

Nikora, L. W., Guerin, B., Rua, M., & Te Awekotuku, N. (2004). Moving away from home: Some social consequences for Tuhoe migrating to the Waikato. New Zealand Population Review, 30(1&2), 95-112.

Rua, M. (2003). Moko: Maori Facial Tattoos - The Experiences of Contemporary Wearers. Unpublished Master of Social Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton.

Research Publications:

You may like to view publications from 1997 onwards for Mr Mohi Rua

General Interests: