Hinekura is a Principal Researcher (ARC Indigenous Futures Centre) at the University of Queensland.  She holds a Doctor of Philosophy of Education, from Te Puna Wananga, School of Māori and Indigenous Education, the University of Auckland.

Her research grounded in kaupapa Māori theory, includes the reclamation and revitalisation of Māori language, culture and identity - particularly for Māori women and children as well as the development of qualitative Kaupapa Māori and art-based methodologies.