Kiri is currently completing her doctoral (PhD) research on tuangi (cockles) which maps the habitats, populations and evolution of cockles in the Ōhiwa Harbour, Bay of Plenty. She is collecting and creating information that can inform iwi and council decision making through Mātauranga Māori and marine science. These skills and experience transfer directly to the kaupapa of Pou Rāhui and support the 5 iwi to map and monitor their taonga species.