Karyn Paringatai
Karyn Paringatai (Ngāti Porou) is a lecturer in Te Tumu – School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies at the University of Otago, where she obtained her BA (Hons), MA and PhD degrees. She teaches and researches in te reo Māori (Māori language) and tikanga Māori (Māori culture). Karyn is a co-director of an Otago Research Theme, Poutama Ara Rau, was awarded the Prime Minister’s Supreme Award for Tertiary Teaching Excellence in 2014 and is part way through a Marsden funded research project looking at the socio-cultural impact of genetic research.
Her revival of the ancient practice of teaching in the dark and subsequent research into its benefits is world leading and has the potential to positively impact teaching in a range of disciplines including law. As a committed practitioner of Kaupapa Māori and a passionate student and scholar of te reo Māori and Māori Performing Arts, Karyn Paringatai personifies excellent teaching. “Ako recognises the cultural capital that both my students and I bring to the classroom. I do not claim to know everything. Together we endeavour to find the solutions.