This paper case studies the story of Hohepa Joseph (Joe) Harawira, a non-academic mātauranga Māori researcher who challenged the misconceptions about the validity of community-based researchers. His extensive research into the debilitating effects of Pentachlorophenol (PCP) on the sawmill workers of Whakatane, their families and the environment has resulted in significant transformative outcomes for the people and the land of Ngāti Awa.