Rate My Professor Matiu Workman

Matiu Workman, of Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, is the Senior Strategic Adviser Māori in the External Engagement division at the University of Otago, a position he has held since May 2024. Known also as Kaitohu Matua Māori ki Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, he previously served as the university's Communications Adviser (Māori) for several years. Workman completed a Master of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago between 2015 and 2016. In his roles, he has been pivotal in enhancing Māori engagement with the university, including forging partnerships with iwi radio stations such as TahuFM and Radio Waatea to share relevant research and news. As a spokesperson, he noted in 2018 the rising numbers of Māori students at Otago, with most enrolled in health sciences fields. Workman frequently leads mihi whakatau at key university events, including the Otago Tourism Policy School in 2022, the Research Innovation Forum in 2025, and international academic excellence scholarship ceremonies.

Workman has contributed writings to university outlets, including the article 'A journey shared' in Otago Magazine issue 52 (April 2021), which explores Māori student experiences, and 'Setting sail for Te Rā' in issue 47 (2018). He penned an opinion piece, 'Matiu Workman on the London lockdown', for the Otago Newsroom in April 2020 while on unpaid leave for an overseas experience. He has acted as media contact for diverse university research releases pertinent to Māori communities, covering topics such as epilepsy investigations, kaupapa Māori child measurement tools, alcohol marketing impacts on Māori children, high testicular cancer rates in Māori, inequities for tāngata whaikaha during COVID-19, and rural health initiatives. Outside academia, Workman chairs sessions at the Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival in 2025 and provides celebrant and MC services through Ceremonies By Matiu in Ōtepoti-Dunedin.