Carla Anne Houkamau is a New Zealand social psychologist and a full professor at the University of Auckland, specialising in MÃÂori identity and cultural relations.
Houkamau is MÃÂori, and is of NgÃÂti Porou, NgÃÂti Kahungunu, NgÃÂi Tahu and PÃÂkehÃÂ descent.
Houkamau completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree, followed by an Honours degree in Psychology, and a PhD in social psychology titled Identity and socio-historical context: transformations and change among MÃÂori women, all at the University of Auckland. She also holds a Diploma in Journalism from Waiariki Institute of Technology. Houkamau completed postdoctoral research and then joined the faculty of the University of Auckland, before moving to a lectureship at the Eastern Institute of Technology in 2007. After two years she moved back to the University of Auckland, rising to full professor. Houkamau was Director of the Dame Mira Szászy Research Centre for MÃÂori and Pacific Economic Development, and has held Associate Dean MÃÂori and Academic Director positions within the Auckland business school, and as of 2024 is the Deputy Dean of the school.
Houkamau is interested in the history of relations between MÃÂori and PÃÂkeha, intergroup relations, how social relations affect inequality, and cultural understanding. Houkamau developed an internationally recognised model for ethnic identity research, the Multidimensional Model of MÃÂori identity and Cultural Engagement. She leads a Marsden grant-funded project, Te Rangahau o Te Tuakiri MÃÂori me NgàWaiaro ÃÂ-Pà «tea The MÃÂori Identity and Financial Attitudes Study, which is a national longitudinal study of MÃÂori attitudes towards identity and financial behaviour. In 2012 Houkamau was awarded the Business School Early Career Research Excellence Award, and as part of the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study team, won the University of Auckland Group Excellence Award in 2017. Houkamau also won the Auckland University Business School Research Excellence Award in 2021.
Houkamau is an academic advisor for a Department of Corrections project on incorporating social science evidence into justice policy and process. She is a member of the NgÃÂ Pae o te MÃÂramatanga Centre of Research Excellence.