Dr Arama Rata (Ngāti Maniapoto, Taranaki, and Ngāruahine) is a research officer at the National Institute for Demographic and Economic Analysis at the University of Waikato. Broadly speaking, Arama's research foci include Māori cultural engagement, identity, and wellbeing, as well as Māori-migrant relationship building.

Farah Rangikoepa Palmer is the Director of the Māori Business & Leadership Centre and a Senior Lecturer in the School of Management, College of Business, Massey University. Her teaching and research interests are in the sociology of sport, sport management, leadership and governance as they relate to Māori and women in particular. Dr Palmer was a member of the New Zealand women’s rugby team (Black Ferns) from 1995 to 2006, and captained the team to three World Cups (1998, 2002, and 2006).