Jacob Ashdown

Jacob Ashdown (Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāi Takoto, Ngāpuhi) is the New Zealand Harkness Fellow 2025. He is committed to advancing economic development in indigenous and underserved communities through influencing policy and enabling locally-led solutions. His fellowship project, Lessons Learned from the United States – Indigenous Economic Growth and Development in Underserved Communities, will examine policies and initiatives in the United States that have accelerated economic growth for indigenous and underserved communities and explore how they can be adapted and applied in New Zealand.

Jacob has held several roles within the New Zealand Government, including as Private Secretary to the Minister for Māori Development, Hon Tama Potaka. His role included advising the Minister on Māori development issues, managing relationships across Parliamentary offices, engaging with senior government officials and supporting Cabinet decision-making. He has also held senior advisory roles at Te Puni Kōkiri (Ministry of Māori Development) and the Ministry of Education.

Alongside his duties as a public servant, Jacob holds several leadership roles in his tribe including as a trustee and director on the entities that manage and grow the collective assets of his people. He is deeply committed to the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori (the Māori language) and is a fluent second language speaker.

As an advocate for Human Rights, Jacob has represented Māori and Indigenous interests internationally as an Indigenous Fellow at the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva and through human rights advocacy during an internship with Amnistía Internacional Paraguay.

Jacob holds a Master of Science (First Class / Distinction) in Psychology from the University of Otago and has published research in the mental health and addictions field, contributing to academic knowledge in the area of Indigenous health and wellbeing.

Research Interests

Jacob’s research interests focus on Indigenous wellbeing, policy, and economic development. With a Master of Science in Psychology from the University of Otago, his early research and publications were centred on Māori mental health and addictions, shaped by his experiences as a practitioner in the sector. Since taking up roles in government, his interests have shifted to public policy and economic development, recognizing the crucial role that economic self-determination plays in cultural revitalization and social advancement.

As the New Zealand Harkness Fellow 2025, his project Lessons Learned from the United States – Indigenous Economic Growth and Development in Underserved Communities explores how policies in the United States have supported economic development in Indigenous and underserved communities. His aim is to generate practical recommendations to advance economic development for Māori and underserved communities in New Zealand.