Dr Malcolm Mulholland staff profile picture

Contact details +6469516883

Dr Malcolm Mulholland

Research Development Advisor

Research Operations

Mulholland has worked for twenty years at Massey University in a variety of roles with Te Au Rangahau, Te Putahi a Toi, DVC (Maori) and Research Operations.  His interests include Maori, politics and health.   The subjects of publications that he has edited or authored on include the environment, politics, social issues, and the Treaty of Waitangi.  The first book he authored titled "Beneath the Maori Moon:  An Illustrated History of Maori Rugby" in 2009 was transformed into a 15-part documentary series that screened on Maori Television.  The publication won "Best Sports and Recreation" category at the inaugural Nga Kupu Ora Maori Book Awards.  His PhD was partially based on his insights as a panel member on the New Zealand Flag Referendum Panel that oversaw the referenda process in 2015-2016.  Mulholland's role on the Panel was to provide educational material to the public regarding the history of the New Zealand flag.  In 2019, Mulholland's late wife, Wiki, was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.  This resulted in a public campaign to get two medicines, Ibrance and Kaycyla, funded by New Zealand's drug procurment agency, Pharmac.  Over time, Mulholland fielded calls from other patients regarding unfunded medicines, which again led to public campaigns.  Eventually Mulholland spearheaded a campaign to review Pharmac, leading to the Chetwin in 2022 and the subsequent consumer workshops.  Mulholland now chairs the Consumer and Patient Working Group that works alongside the Pharmac Board to reform the agency.  Mulholland has also been involved in a number of high profile campaigns involving health issues including the Buller Declaration on the State of the New Zealand Health System, the world's longest petition, that was presented to Parliament in November 2025.  Earlier that year, Mulholland was awarded a MNZM and was a semifinalist in the New Zealander of the Year Awards, also winning a local hero award.  

Ngati Kahungunu

Dr Mulholland is employed as a Researcher Development Advisor.  His role involves developing resources for researchers at Massey University.  His PhD titled "Prominent Flags and Changing Notions of Identity" was in part based on his time on the New Zealand Flag Referendum Panel and he has authored or edited over 12 publications including "Beneath the Maori Moon" than was made into a  documentary series.  Since 2019, Mulholland has chaired Patient Voice Aotearoa with a large focus on improving medicine access for New Zealanders.  In 2025, he was awarded a MNZM for services to health and Maori.  

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Professional

Contact details

  • Ph: ext 86016
    Location: 5.01, Registry
    Campus: Turitea

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Maori, Politics, Rugby, Identity 

Thematics

21st Century Citizenship

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Historical Studies (210300): History And Archaeology (210000): Maori History (210309): New Zealand History (210311):
Race and Ethnic Relations (160803): Sociology (160800): Studies In Human Society (160000)

Keywords

Maori, Rugby, Politics, Flags, Identity 

Research Outputs

Journal

Mulholland, MG. (2006). Aotearoa: Land of the long white cloud. Te Karaka. 32, 24-28
[Journal article]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG., & Hirst, L. (2006). Kei a koe te tikanga - It's your choice. Te Karaka. 30, 28-33
[Journal article]Authored by: Mulholland, M.

Book

Mulholland, MGD. (Ed.) (2017). Ngati Tahu Ngati Whaoa Tribal History.
[Edited Book]Authored by: Mulholland, M.Contributed to by: Mulholland, M.Edited by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MGD. (Ed.) (2015). Maori Development to 2040.
[Edited Book]Authored by: Mulholland, M.Edited by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MGD. (2015). The Treaty of Waitangi. In J. Hayward (Ed.) New Zealand government and politics. : Oxford University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Katene, S., & Mulholland, M. (Eds.) (2013). Future Challenges for Māori: He Kōrero Anamata. : Huia Publishers
[Edited Book]Edited by: Mulholland, M.
Taonui, RM. (2013). Trends in maori child abuse. In S. Katene, & M. Mulholland (Eds.) Future Challenges for Maori. (pp. 155 - 168). Wellington: Huia
[Chapter]Edited by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, M., & Jahnke, H. (Eds.) (2013). Mana Tangata: Politics of Empowerment. : Huia Publishers
[Edited Book]Authored by: Jahnke, H.Edited by: Jahnke, H., Mulholland, M.
Glover, MP. (2012). Māori smoking: An epic saga of love and abuse.. In M. Mulholland, & T. McIntosh (Eds.) Maori and Social Issues. Wellington: Huia Publishers
[Chapter]Edited by: Mulholland, M.
Forster, ME. (2011). Kaitiakitanga: A Māori Environmental Ethic. In H. Jahnke, & M. Mulholland (Eds.) Mana Tangata: Politics of empowerment. Wellington: Huia Publishers
[Chapter]Edited by: Jahnke, H., Mulholland, M.
(2011). Maori and Social Issues Nga Pae o Te Maramatanga Volume One. Wellington: Huia
[Edited Book]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
(2010). Mana Tangata. Wellington: Huia
[Edited Book]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, G., & Tawhai, V. (Eds.) (2010). Weeping Waters: The Treaty of Waitangi and Constitutional Change. Wellington: Huia
[Edited Book]Authored by: Mulholland, M.Edited by: Mulholland, M., Tawhai, V.
(2010). Maori and the Environment: Kaitiaki. Wellington: Huia
[Edited Book]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2010). The Death of the Manawatu River. In Maori and the Environment: Kaitiaki. (pp. 123 - 140). Wellington: Huia
[Chapter]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2010). Symbols of Nationhood. In Weeping Waters: The Treaty of Waitangi and Consitutional Change.. (pp. 233 - 250). Wellington: Huia
[Chapter]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG.(2009). Beneath the Maori Moon: An Illustrated History of Maori Rugby. Thailand: Huia
[Authored Book]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
(2007). State of the Maori Nation: Twenty First Issues in Aotearoa. Wellington: Huia
[Edited Book]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2006). Ngati Whatua O Orakei Corporate Limited.. In He Wairere Pakihi: Maori Business Case Studies.. (pp. 88 - 92). Palmerston North: Te Au Rangahau, Maori Business Research Centre, Massey University
[Chapter]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (Ed.) (2006). State of the Maori nation: Twenty-first-century issues in Aotearoa. Auckland, NZ: Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd
[Edited Book]Edited by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (Ed.) (2006). He wairere pakihi: Maori business case studies. Palmerston North, NZ: Massey University, Te Au Rangahau, Maori Business Research Centre
[Edited Book]Edited by: Mulholland, M.
Gillies, A., Barnett, SJ., & Mulholland, MG. (2006). Background to Maori business and economic development. In M. Mullholland (Ed.) He Wairere Pakihi: Maori Business Case Studies. (pp. 4 - 7). Palmerston North, NZ: Massey University, Te Au Rangahau, Maori Business Research Centre
[Chapter]Authored by: Barnett, S., Mulholland, M.
2006 Editor of He Wairere Pakihi: Maori Business Case Studies..
[Edited Book]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
2010 Maori and the Environment: Kaitiaki. : Huia
[Edited Book]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
2011 Mana Tangata: Politics of Empowerment. : Huia
[Edited Book]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
2011 Maori and Social Issues Nga Pae o te Maramatanga: Volume One. : Huia
[Edited Book]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
2010 Weeping Waters: The Treaty of Waitangi and Constitutional Change. : Huia
[Edited Book]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
2006 State of the Maori Nation: Twenty First Issues in Aotearoa.
[Edited Book]Authored by: Mulholland, M.

Creative Work

Mulholland, MG. (2011, August). 2011 Bay Proud: 100 Years of Bay of Plenty Rugby. Rotorua Musuem of Arts and Crafts.
[Exhibition]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2011, August 13). Bay Proud: 100 Years of Bay of Plenty Rugby. Rotorua Museum of Art and History.
[Exhibition]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2011, October 13). Waka Maori: Maori Rugby Exhibition. Queens Wharf, Auckland.
[Exhibition]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2011, August). Ake, Ake Kia Kaha: The Spirit of Maori Rugby. Auckland War Memorial Musuem.
[Exhibition]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2011, September 8). Ka Mate, Ka Mate. Te Papa, Wellington.
[Exhibition]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2011, August 9). Oranges at Halftime. Nationwide.
[Exhibition]Authored by: Mulholland, M.

Thesis

Mulholland, MGD. (2016). Evolution of Nationhood: Haka, Treaty Settlements and National Symbols. (Doctoral Thesis)
[Doctoral Thesis]Authored by: Mulholland, M.

Report

Mulholland, MG. (2006). Local services mapping: Kaikoura community report.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2006). Local services mapping: Queenstown Lakes community report.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2006). Local services mapping: Waimakariri community report.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2006). Local services mapping: Gore community report.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Mulholland, M.

Conference

Hapeta, J., & Mulholland, M. (2016, May). The haka: Ka mate and the misappropriation of Matauranga Maori. Presented at Native American and Indigenous Studies Association Annual Conference. Hawaii.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Hapeta, J., Kuroda, Y., & Mulholland, M. (2015, September). Tracking the stacking: The New Zealand All Blacks 1980-2015. Presented at Rugby World Cup Conference. World in Union: Rugby past, present and future. Brighton, UK.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MGD."Three Decades of Maori Development".
[Conference Other]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2005). Seabed and foreshore: How politics impacts upon the sustainability of a resource. Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability. (pp. 209 - 220).
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2005, February). Seabed and foreshore: How politics impacts upon the sustainability of a resource. Presented at 1st International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability. Oahu, HI.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Mulholland, M.

Other

Mulholland, MG. (2011). Challenging Our Symbols of Nationhood. (pp. 15 - 33). In Otago: Centre for Research on National Identity, University of Otago
[Working Paper]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2011). Rugby World Cup: All Blacks, New Zealand Maori and the politics of the pitch. : The Conversation
[Internet publication]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2010). 100 Years of Maori Rugby. New Zealand Post
[Other]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2008). What's new? Waitangi 1840-2008. (pp. 18).
[Other]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2007). Maori and the fourth Labour legacy. (pp. 90).
[Other]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2006). A sense of occasion. (pp. 20 - 21).
[Other]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG. (2005). Independent investigative journalism in Iwi radio. (pp. 81 - 106).
[Other]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG.Maori and Flags. : Ministry of Culture and Heritage
[Internet publication]Authored by: Mulholland, M.
Mulholland, MG.Kokiri: 19 2010 Ray Tau Special.. (pp. 1 - 47). Te Puni Kokiri
[Other]Authored by: Mulholland, M.

Consultancy and Languages

Consultancy

  • 2010-2011 - Rotorua Museum of Art and History
    Curator of "Bay Proud: 100 Years of Bay of Plenty Rugby".
  • 2010-2011 - Auckland War Memorial Museum
    Expert Adviser for "Ake Ake Kia Kaha: The Spirit of Maori Rugby"
  • 2010-2011 - Eklektus Inc
    Expert Adviser for "Oranges at Halftime: Nationwide Rugby Exhibition".
  • 2010-2011 - Evitan Events
    Expert Adviser for "Waka Maori: 100 Years of Maori Rugby Exhibition".

Media and Links

Media

  • 30 Sep 2014 - Television
    NZ Flag Referendum
    Invited to appear on BBC News
  • 30 May 2015 - Newspaper
    Interview on NZ Flag Referendum
    Rotorua Daily Post
  • 28 Jun 2015 - Radio
    Interview on NZ Flag Referendum
    Radio Live News Bulletin
  • 28 Jun 2015 - Television
    Interview on NZ Flag History
    TVNZ News
  • 22 Sep 2015 - Radio
    History of New Zealand Flag
    History of NZ Flag
  • 22 Jun 2015 - Television
    Interview on Breakfast TVNZ on NZ Flag Referendum
    Breakfast TVNZ
  • 22 Jun 2015 - Television
    Interview on NZ Flag Referendum
    Interview on Chinese TV
  • 22 Jun 2015 - Radio
    Interview on NZ Flag History
    One hour with Willie Jackson and Ali Mau on Radio Live
  • 21 Jun 2015 - Television
    Interview on NZ Flag Process
    TVNZ Sunday Programme
  • 21 Jun 2015 - Newspaper
    Interview on NZ Flag Referendum
    Waikato Times
  • 17 Jun 2015 - Newspaper
    Interview on NZ Flag History
    Gisborne Herald
  • 12 Jun 2015 - Newspaper
    Interview on NZ Flag Referendum
    Dominion Post
  • 10 Dec 2014 - Television
    Rugby Haka Documentary
    Invited to be interviewed for documentary to appear on France 5 TV and BBC
  • 09 Jun 2015 - Newspaper
    Interview on NZ Flag Referendum
    Manawatu Standard
  • 05 Jun 2015 - Newspaper
    Interview on NZ Flag Process
    Nelson Post
  • 04 May 2015 - Community Service, Newspaper, Magazine, Television, Radio, Online, Video, Other
    History of the NZ Flag
    History clip regarding the History of the NZ Flag
  • 04 Jun 2015 - Newspaper
    Interview on NZ Flag History
    Westport News
  • 03 Jun 2015 - Newspaper
    Interview on NZ Flag Referendum
    Greymouth Star