Efforts to recalibrate law to recognise Māori interests have won a University of Otago academic a Royal Society Te Apārangi award.
Deputy vice-chancellor Māori and Distinguished Professor of law Jacinta Ruru was awarded the Humanities Aronui Medal at the society’s Research Honours Aotearoa event yesterday, for her internationally acclaimed research on how colonial legal systems recognise indigenous peoples’ interests in land and water.
She said a turning point in her career, which inspired her research, occurred when she worked on her PhD in Canada with a academic in indigenous law — which she described as "very transformative".
Prof Ruru said she was particularly inspired by Māori leaders who had "generously given to this country", and inspired her to be brave in putting forward ideas for how we could make, understand, and learn about the laws of New Zealand.
"Law has so much power and potential. It reflects the values of society.
"I’ve always been really interested in how our modern legal system can recalibrate to reflect modern values of reconciliation with iwi Māori."
She said the award was "an incredible honour".
"I love that this medal has the theme of Aronui — ‘knowledge that makes us human’.
"Research in the humanities is vital for the success of our nation."
As a legal scholar, Prof Ruru has written or co-authored many books, including Discovering Indigenous Lands: The Doctrine of Discovery in the English Colonies.
Her ideas were shaping legal interpretations of the rights and responsibilities of indigenous peoples around the world.
Her work has focused on how law and policy could uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi by enabling Māori to care for, own and manage lands and waters.
She has advanced innovations including granting legal personhood to natural features such as mountains and rivers.
She has also successfully campaigned for inclusion of tikanga Māori into the teaching at all New Zealand law schools, contributed to the broader research sector, supported and mentored many Māori scholars, and promoted development of research capability and infrastructure as co-director of the Centre of Research Excellence Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga.
