Skip Content
Husband and wife duo, Drs. Tim and Joni Angeli-Gordon

Husband and wife duo, Drs. Tim and Joni Angeli-Gordon are excited to take their research project to the next level after being awarded a significant grant from the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC).

The couple’s ground-breaking study on minimally invasive gastric ablation for gastrointestinal disorders has received funding of $1,199,996 for a duration of 36 months. The project will be led by Te Manawahoukura Rangahau Centre at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in partnership with Waipapa Taumata Rau, The University of Auckland.

“This funding means we can continue with the project and allows us to take it to a whole new level. It’s rare to be able to do this sort of work alongside my wife, but I couldn’t do it without her and her knowledge of te ao Māori,” says Tim.

Through this research project, the couple hope to provide both patients and doctors with the answers needed to explain and treat gastrointestinal disorders that affect up to 30% of the world’s population.

Tim’s background in biomedical engineering has already allowed for the project to reach its current stage where the team have developed a new method to stop unusual stomach signals by creating a tiny scar with targeted energy and they have tested this successfully in open-surgery on lab models.

Now, with the help of Joni, who has a background in secondary school teaching in both Kura Kaupapa Māori and mainstream as well as a passion for Indigenous education, supervision, and decolonising research methods, the research project will expand to explore Māori perspectives to guide gastrointestinal interventions.

“We want to see what this research might uncover with a Māori lens and wairua element. I feel lucky to be able to contribute and hopefully from this we will see transformative and tangible results. And it’s good that the funders are able to see the value in this project too.”

For Tim and Joni, it’s important that research and other similar projects are committed to incorporating a te ao Māori approach, hence why they chose and are proud to be working within a Māori organisation.

The couple hope that through their mahi they will inspire their 2 daughters and other Māori to contribute to the growing Rangahau and academia space in Aotearoa.

“We're hopeful that this project will provide a model of what medical research could look like. A model that engages with and incorporates Indigenous knowledge. We’re excited to see what it looks like in the end, the potential and how it's going to shape things.”

 Back to news & events

Published On: 23 October 2024

Article By: Cassia Ngaruhe



Other Articles

  • 9 July 2025

    Victoria's Journey: Embracing te reo Māori in healthcare

    Nurse Victoria Richmond shares how learning te reo Māori through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Papa Reo programme has deepened her cultural competency and patient care. Discover how flexible online learning is helping bridge cultural gaps in Aotearoa’s healthcare system.

  • 02 July 2025

    Turning challenges into change

    Discover how Ian Rauwhero (Tainui, Waiohua, Ngāti Pikiao) transformed personal challenges into community impact through study at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. From family court struggles to social services success, Ian’s inspiring journey highlights the power of education, whānau support, and cultural connection.

  • 18 June 2025

    Painting from within: Nakita’s creative awakening

    Discover the creative journey of contemporary Māori artist Nakita Tilson, whose passion for painting and Māori art was nurtured through her studies at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. From overcoming health challenges to creating powerful works like Hine Tōhenga, Nakita’s story is one of resilience, identity, and painting from within.

  • 11 June 2025

    New country, new skills for Sophie

    Discover how Sophie Li, a recent immigrant from China, built confidence and community through study at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. From English language to money management and small business, Sophie’s journey highlights the power of accessible education for new migrants in Aotearoa.