Profile

Dr Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal

Strategic Advisor Māori

Charles is an independent researcher and consultant and a freelance composer, musician and storyteller. Through research, teaching and advising, and in music and stories, he explores the creative potential of indigenous knowledge and communities.

Charles has written and edited several books and reports on aspects of mātauranga Māori and iwi histories and traditions. He founded and leads whare tapere – iwi-based “houses” of storytelling, dance, games, music and other entertainments – in Hauraki. He is a former associate director of Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand, director of graduate studies and research at Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa, Ōtaki, and professor of indigenous development and director of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga at the University of Auckland. Charles belongs to Marutūahu, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngā Puhi.