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Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa ������Դ graduate Dr McCurdy’s doctoral research provides a methodology and implementation process that PSGEs can use to prepare their future leaders within the complex PSGE environment.

Dr McCurdy says her biggest takeaway from the PhD experience was the privilege of working through a collaborative process with Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa, her case study organisation.

“They are an extraordinary group of people, and I am forever in their debt for making my research possible.

“The leaders of the Rūnanga have been beyond generous with their support, encouragement, honesty and trust. When times were tough, my commitment to produce something of value for them, as determined by them, really drove me on.”

Originally from Australia, Dr McCurdy settled in Kimbolton after meeting her Kiwi husband and has lived in Aotearoa for 30 years. She completed her Master of Business Studies in Human Resource Management at Massey before continuing to complete her PhD at the Massey Business School.

Dr McCurdy is also developing a suite of resources for businesses and organisations that want to improve relationships across cultural boundaries. These resources are based on the methodology that anchors her PhD research and focuses on collaboration and the context of relationships.

Looking back, she encourages others considering study later in life to be sure of their motivation.

“Study can take so much out of you and your wider world, so unless you are deeply personally motivated by the research and its outcomes, the likelihood of dropping out is high.

“Trust yourself and don’t lose sight of your inherent strengths and experience.”