Graham Hingangaroa Smith is a prominent Māori and Indigenous scholar who has been at the forefront of initiatives in Education and Māori Development. His research and practice have been foundational to the development of Kaupapa Māori theorizing and ‘transforming praxis’. As such his research is centred on developing theoretical and practical strategies that contribute to the political, social, economic and cultural advancement of Māori and indigenous communities. For example, he has made significant contributions to alternative schooling initiatives, including Te Kōhanga Reo, Kura Kaupapa Māori, and Whare Wānanga. The impact of his contribution is seen in the large number of public entities that now utilise Kaupapa Māori structures and practices. Graham’s work has created transdisciplinary research methods and theories that are being used extensively with other Indigenous peoples across the world, including Canada, USA (Hawaii and Alaska), Micronesia, Australia and Pacific nations. Graham oversaw the development of the only Māori Centre of Research Excellence – Ngā Pae o Te Māramatanga, which has seen more than 500 Māori PhD graduates who are now contributing greatly to their communities and aiding the self-development of Māori and Indigenous communities nationally and internationally. Graham holds two honorary doctorates from Canadian institutions, was elected a Fellow of the American Education Research Association in 2014 and also awarded a CNZM in 2014.