The Maori Research Centre of Excellence says pressure from indigenous researchers abroad helped prompt the Government's decision to continue funding rangahau Maori.
The Government received more than 100 letters from places such as the United States, Canada and Pacific countries.
As part of the Budget, the Government announced it would carry on paying for the centre.
It will start allocating funds from 2016, when the current contract with Nga Pae o Te Maramatanga expires.
Acting centre director said the Government move had been prompted by the power of Maori researchers, as well as the involvement of their international peers.
She said there were people in parliament who did not realise the influence of the work Nga Pae had done.
Ms McIntosh said those letters were critical to raise awareness to some politicians.
She believed the international involvement helped shape the Government's decision.