Abstract
ABSTRACTThis article considers the use of te reo Māori as a language medium of research and scholarship in the universities of Aotearoa New Zealand, and reports on two small sets of empirical data about doctoral theses written in Māori: one a list of 17 such theses, the other the results of 4 interviews. All the reo Māori doctoral theses I found are written on research topics embedded in te ao Māori (the Māori world). Most focus on a specific language type, topic, or kin group; two are about Māori identity and two are about Kura Kaupapa Māori schooling. Interview results show there are steps that universities can take to support doctoral degrees written in te reo to be examined within their institutional processes, underpinned by a welcoming attitude towards te reo and tikanga. Dispensing with the international examiner, a translator to assist in the oral examination, and an abstract in English are three elements of a process that can be formalised and documented. When those individuals who can supervise and convene the examination of such work are supported by their university, to write a doctoral thesis in te reo is successful for all concerned, though never easy.
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