Dr Dan Hikuroa

Dr Dan Hikuroa (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato-Tainui, Ngaati Whanaunga, Pākehā) has a PhD in Geology and is currently Senior Lecturer, Te Wānanga o Waipapa, Māori Studies, at the University of Auckland, where he has also lectured in Anthropology, Geology, Sustainability, Environmental Engineering and Business Studies.

Dan’s expertise is in the areas of Earth Systems, Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge and ways of knowing), climate change, natural hazards and rivers. He has contributed to community and participatory projects that have included: marine spatial planning; environmental management plans; natural resource use and management; natural hazards, disaster risk reduction, resilience; and industrial waste-site rehabilitation.

Dan uses Kaupapa Māori methods in his work with Māori communities to realise dreams and address challenges. He has undertaken many projects including Te Awaroa – Voice of the River, co-writing the 2014 State of the Hauraki Gulf Environment Report, geothermal development feasibilities, planning river and catchment restorations, co-writing iwi environmental management plans, Independent Review Panel member of Sea-Change Tai Timu Tai Pari, hazard and vulnerability assessments and industrial waste-site rehabilitation.

He is the Co-Deputy Director of Public Engagement Te Pūnaha Matatini, Acting-Tumuaki of Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao, and member of Pūniu River Care Board, Antarctic Steering Group and Watercare EAG.