Helena Rattray-Te Mana
Helena Rattray-Te Mana is a Kaipūtaiao Social Scientist in the social systems team.
Qualifications
Helena studied for her Master of Indigenous Studies and her current PhD is with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.
About
Helena transitioned to the social systems team in early 2021, after nine years of community-facing kaupapa Māori research. During this time, she collaborated closely with Māori and Native American scholars and advocates, contributing to the emerging field of Māori historical and intergenerational trauma and healing, as well as anti-racism research. Her passion for research stems from a desire to merge her two favourite worlds - people and systems. With a focus on de-incarceration and the wellbeing of Māori communities, Helena's commitment to promoting Māori health excellence is evident in her master’s thesis and upcoming PhD through Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. She firmly believes that Māori health should be a national priority, and she is dedicated to fair and considerate solutions that empower Māori communities. Her current projects include working with Ngā Wairiki/Ngāti Apa on Iwi ora – restoring Iwi health and wellbeing knowledge, and Pou Kōrero – speaking for our ancestors through engaging rangatahi (youth) in heritage research; Contemporary justice issues for wāhine Māori report for the Waitangi Tribunal; and Transformative approaches to justice with the Forensics business group.