معرفی
Professor Helen Moewaka Barnes serves as Co-Director of the SHORE & Whariki Research Centre at Massey University, where she holds a Professorial position with deep expertise in Māori and public health research. Her work centers on community-driven approaches to address health disparities and advance indigenous wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Her academic foundation includes:
- Master of Public Health from the University of Auckland (1998)
- Doctor of Philosophy from Massey University (2009)
Her research traverses Public Health, Māori Health, Indigenous Health, Health Equity, Social Determinants of Health, and Community Health, with strong emphasis on culturally grounded methodologies and community agency. She pioneers frameworks that center Māori knowledge systems in public health practice and policy development.
Her distinguished recognition includes:
- Tu Rangatira Mo te Ora Award (2020) from the Public Health Association of New Zealand for outstanding leadership in Māori public health
Professor Barnes actively mentors emerging researchers through doctoral supervision while leading the SHORE & Whariki Research Centre’s initiatives. Her team collaborates closely with iwi (Māori tribes) and community organizations to co-design health interventions that strengthen cultural identity and social cohesion as foundations for wellbeing.
