Fulbright New Zealand and Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence, are pleased to announce Luke Rowe (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa-ki-te-tonga) as the recipient of the 2026 Fulbright-Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Scholar Award.
Originally from Tokorangi, Luke will undertake research at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in Hawai‘i. He will be exploring the intersection of Indigeneity, men’s mental health, and sport. His project, Ngā Uri o Māui: At the intersection of Indigeneity, men’s mental health, and sport, aims to deepen understanding of culturally grounded approaches to wellbeing within high-performance sporting environments.
Luke is currently based at Te Whare Whakatupu Mātauranga at Te Wānanga o Raukawa and brings a combination of expertise as a trained and registered clinical psychologist. His work spans clinical psychology, Indigenous wellbeing, and elite sport, where he supports professional athletes and high-performance teams to perform under pressure.
“I attended the same small Māori boys’ boarding school as two previous Fulbright recipients,” says Luke. “In a context where educational outcomes for Māori boys continue to be inequitable, their achievements represent what is possible. Being part of this whakapapa of opportunity strengthens my commitment to using a Fulbright Award not only for academic advancement, but to inspire others to see such pathways as achievable.”
Luke completed his PhD at Massey University and clinical psychology training at Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga Waka. He has contributed to a number of organisations and research initiatives, including Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Te Amokura Consultants, and Massey University’s Research Centre for Hauora and Te Pūtahi a Toi School of Māori Knowledge.
“Luke’s important research focuses on thriving Indigenous men and culturally embedded practices that foster their resilience. His project will inform mental health interventions, coaching strategies, and community programs in both Aotearoa and Hawai’i. Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga are proud to support this award,” says Professor Melinda Webber, co-director Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga.
When Luke returns to Aotearoa New Zealand, he plans to continue contributing to the mātauranga continuum through his role at Te Wānanga o Raukawa.