University of Waikato Prominent Maori Astronomer Dr Rangi Matamua ‘is seriously considering’ abandoning systemic racism

One of the nation’s leading academics says he is considering leaving the University of Waikato because of what he calls “systemic and casual racism” underway.

Maori astronomer Dr. Rangi Matamua, who this year received the Prime Minister’s Award for Scientific Communications and has been a leading advocate for making Matariki a holiday, told the Herald that he did not feel the university was a “place in the world. the one I can be “.

His comments come as the university investigates claims by prominent scholars alleging casual and structural racism at the institution.

World-renowned indigenous education teacher Linda Tuhiwai-Smith, along with six academics, wrote a 13-page letter alerting the Ministry of Education to their concerns.

The allegations included ignorance of the Maori experience, symbolism, lower pay for Maori staff, and no significant commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi.

After initially publicly rejecting the allegations, the university announced an independent review, which will be led by Sir Wira Gardiner and Hekia Parata.

Matamua from Tūhoe said those allegations were the “tip of the iceberg.”

Due to the university’s review, Matamua said he could not go into specific incidents of racism, but said it was not a “culturally safe environment.”

“We feel marginalized, invisible. We operate in an environment of fear of losing our jobs if we speak up. I’m not sure if this is a place I can be. I don’t feel like this is a culturally safe space.”

Matamua, who joined the university in 2011, said problems had gotten “significantly” worse during that time, including attempts to eliminate the faculty and subsume it in the Division of Arts and Social Sciences.

“We don’t feel respected and recognized for the work we do.

“For example, as a chief of staff we are possibly the most successful faculty in the university, but that is not recognized.

“Our research does not stand out, nor are our awards and accolades important.”

There was a “massive under-representation” of Maori at the university, he said.

“There are no leading Maori deans, apart from this faculty, and only seven professors out of a hundred in the entire university.

“This is an issue of enormous importance to us, which builds on momentum around the world, including Black Lives Matter, pushing against injustice and racism.”

Matamua is well known for his work to help raise the understanding of Matariki as an important and meaningful occasion for New Zealanders.

This week, the Labor Party promised to make Matariki a public holiday starting in 2022 if he is re-elected.

In July, he was awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Scientific Communications, worth $ 100,000, from the Royal Society of New Zealand.

For him to stay at the University of Waikato, Matamua said it was necessary for the university to admit that there was a problem around racism and for changes to be made in the way it operated towards Maori and Pasifika.

“I love the institution in terms of students and this faculty, but many of us are really struggling.”

The university has not responded to the Herald’s questions.

Instead, a spokeswoman said in a statement that they could not comment on individual labor issues.

He reiterated that the university had commissioned an independent review of recent public statements about racism and that, once completed, the findings of the review will be made public.