Dr Groot is an interdisciplinary social scientist whose research spans Māori worldviews, community resilience, sexuality, sex work, urban poverty, and health. The primary area of research has been homelessness, the sharp edge of poverty in New Zealand. Māori are overrepresented in the homelessness population; as such, their research reflects interwoven themes of Indigeneity, culture, resilience, resistance, and socio-economic exclusion.
A particular focus of their scholarship has been on developing rapport and strong links with community and organisational partners, building their scholarly reputation nationally and internationally, and mentoring graduate students. Their research and projects challenge systemic inequities, offering solutions that uplift whānau, hapū, and iwi while advancing Kaupapa Māori praxis. As an Associate Professor in Community and Applied Social Psychology at the University of Auckland,
Dr Groot integrates Kaupapa Māori methodologies into psychology, ensuring Māori lived experiences inform national policies and service delivery models. Academic journey includes
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Social Psychology – University of Waikato (2011)
- Research Associate, University of Waikato (2011–2016)
- Lecturer, Social Psychology, University of Auckland (2016–Present)
Dr Groot’s work is deeply embedded in kaupapa Māori approaches, exploring the intersection of poverty, homelessness, resilience, takatāpui identity, and climate justice (to name a few):
- Generation Kāinga: Rangatahi Building a Regenerative & Resilient Aotearoa (2022–2026) – Investigating Māori housing tenure and rangatahi-led solutions. MBIE 2024 Research Programme
- Community Mental Health in Aotearoa (2022) – Examining the evolution of mental health services for Māori. Ramalho, R., Groot, S., & Adams, P. (2022). Community Mental Health Care in Aotearoa New Zealand: Past, Present, and the Road Ahead. Consortium psychiatricum, 3(4), 53–62.
- Takatāpui Identity & Whanaungatanga (2021) – Addressing LGBTQ+ Māori experiences of identity and connection.
Dr Groot’s influence extends beyond academia, shaping policies that impact Māori health and housing. They have played a leading role in:
- Former Co-Chair, of the New Zealand Coalition to end Homelessness driving national housing solutions.
- Advisor/Researcher, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) – Informing Māori housing and social policy.
- Māori & Indigenous Psychologists Recognition (2021) – For contributions to social justice research.
- Kaupapa Māori Research Impact Award (2019) – Acknowledging leadership in Māori psychology.
Through mentorship, research, and advocacy, Dr Groot continues to shape the future of Māori psychology and social justice, ensuring systemic change benefits whānau, hapū, and iwi.
"Māori solutions must drive Māori futures – our work must be bold, transformative, and always grounded in community." – Dr Shiloh Groot
Links:
Google Scholar – Shiloh Groot Publications
Taskforce on Indigenous Psychology member
Researchgate Profile – Shiloh Groot Publications
Precarity: Uncertain, insecure and unequal lives in Aotearoa New Zealand September 2017 Journal article
Decoloniality in Being Māori and Community Psychologists: Advancing an Evolving and Culturally-Situated Approach September 2021
The Infamy of Begging: A Case-Based Approach to Street Homelessness and Radical Commerce October 2015
Debt in the Everyday Lives of 100 Families Experiencing Urban Poverty in New Zealand August 2015
Towards a Relationally and Action-orientated Social Psychology of Homelessness April 2014
Massey University Press: 10 Questions with Shiloh Groot 14 Sep 2017
01 May 2025
