Ko Hikaroroa te mauka
Ko Waikouaiti te awa
Ko Kāi Tahu rātou ko Te Ātiawa, ko Ngāti Mutunga kā iwi
Ko Puketeraki rāua ko Ōtākou kā marae
Ko Parata rātou ko Taiaroa ko Erihana kā whānau
Nō Karitāne ahau

Professor Emma Wyeth is a distinguished Māori health researcher dedicated to understanding and improving whānau experiences within Aotearoa’s health system. With 20 years of experience in Māori public health research and education, she has played a critical role in shaping policies, advocating for equity, and mentoring the next generation of Māori scholars.

Emma is currently a Professor at the University of Canterbury, Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, Office of Treaty Partnership (since October 2024). Previously, she was Professor and Director of the Ngāi Tahu Māori Health Research Unit at the University of Otago.  Her research focuses on a range of Māori health outcomes, access, services, and lived experiences, particularly within the Ngāi Tahu takiwā. The majority of her research over the last 20 years has been focused on Māori experiences and outcomes after injury – she leads a national longitudinal study of injured Māori.

Her PhD in Genetics at University of Otago ‘Hauhaketia tō Wahia i Mua i te Takurua: Māori and genetic health research: A case study’, explored rheumatoid arthritis and gout through a Māori lens, integrating kaupapa Māori methodologies with genetic research. This unique approach reflects her commitment to bridging Western science with Indigenous knowledge.

Emma was previously Professor of Māori Health  and Associate Dean Māori in the Division of Health Sciences at Otago University ,with a pivotal role in supporting and advocating for both Māori staff and students, encouraging the integration of diverse research strengths, qualifications, and expertise to enhance outcomes for Māori whānau and communities. She viewed this position as an opportunity to collaborate with Māori staff, represent their interests, and leverage a wide range of research capabilities to drive meaningful impact.

Beyond academia, she influences health policy and governance, holding several prominent roles:
 

• Deputy Chair and Director, Ngāi Tahu Iwi Māori Partnership Board – Strengthening iwi-led health initiatives.
• Deputy Chair, Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki – Supporting rūnaka and iwi governance and leadership.
• Council Member, Health Research Council of New Zealand, Ministerial appointment, Chair, Health Research Council Māori Health Committee– Advising on Māori health research funding and policy.
• Deputy Chair and Trustee, WellSouth Primary Health Network

Emma’s research has been instrumental in identifying and addressing inequities in injury and disability outcomes for Māori. Her work has revealed:

• Māori with ACC-covered injuries experience greater long-term disability than non-Māori.
• Many injured Māori struggle to access essential healthcare services, impacting on recovery and well-being.
• Systemic barriers within health services contribute to these disparities.

Her evidence-based approach supports policy reform and iwi-led health advocacy, ensuring that Māori voices shape health service delivery.

Emma’s passion for education and advocacy is deeply rooted in her whakapapa. Her ancestors - Te Matenga Taiaroa, Tame Parata, and visionary leaders who championed education, economic independence, and Māori self-determination, both within their own communities and nationally. This legacy continues to inspire her mission to empower Māori through research, education, and policy change.

With strong ties to Puketeraki, Ōtākou, and Awarua, Emma remains actively involved in rūnaka, iwi initiatives, and community well-being. She is also a wife to Ngāi Tahu historian Dr Michael Stevens and mama of  Kura-Mātakitaki, Te Haeatanui and Tūhiku-a-Kiwa. ensuring that her tamariki and whānau maintain deep connections to their whakapapa and cultural identity.

“Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us.”

Through her groundbreaking research, governance leadership, and dedication to Māori health, Professor Emma Wyeth continues to be a driving force for positive change in Aotearoa.

Links:

New Zealand Life and Leisure article: How Dr Emma Wyeth is helping improve the health sector for Māori (CountryWide Media 2024 article)

Deputy Director at Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga 2016 to 2018 ) Associate Professor Emma Wyeth

Kāi Tahu  He Tangata Emma Wyeth, Article 3 July 2017

Research Gate Profile – Emma Wyeth

University of Otago Professor new chair of Health Research Council’s Māori Health Committee 13 September 2023