Academic Representative

Linda Te Aho is of Waikato-Tainui, Ngati Koroki Kahukura descent. Associate Dean Maori and Senior Lecturer at Te Piringa - Faculty of Law, University of Waikato, Hamilton, Linda's research focuses on contemporary issues in Maori Law and Society, including the sustainable development and management of Maori resources in a broad sense, with a particular focus on freshwater issues. Linda currently teaches Maori Land Law and Contracts Law; and post-graduate courses Maori Resources Law and Development Issues, Maori Claims Processes, and Corporate Governance. Linda has managed projects that have built the capacity of Ngati Koroki-Kahukura, including the publication of a collection of their oral history.

Linda has held a number of relevant governance and management positions and is currently a trustee of the of the Ngati Koroki Kahukura Trust, a tribal governance entity mandated to lead Treaty of Waitangi and Environmental issues. Linda is appointed by Waikato-Tainui on the Guardians Establishment Committee charged with formulating a vision and strategy for the restoration and protection of the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River.

Linda has completed several pieces of commissioned research for Crown agencies and government departments such as for the Ministry of Social Development (Relationships between tangata whenua and government agencies); Ministry for the Environment (Freshwater for a sustainable future 'Waimaori', and Climate Change); Ministry of Maori Development (The impact of recent amendments to the Resource Management Act upon Maori); and the Ministry of Economic Development (Traditional Knowledge, Intellectual Prperty and Bioprospecting).