Waka hoe symbolically guides way for equity

The 2024 Equity Practitioners in Higher Education (EPHEA) conference is being held at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland in November.

This year’s conference theme is “Equity is our compass: holding course for inclusive higher education”, which acknowledges the turbulent waters through which practitioners navigate in the pursuit of inclusive education.

Aptly, a carved, wooden waka hoe (paddle) has become a symbolic taonga for the biennial conference. It was first passed on to the University of Western Australia by representatives from the University of Auckland and AUT in 2013. It represents the collaboration between Aotearoa and Australia in this kaupapa.

Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori, Kaiarataki Michael Steedman, says the waka hoe represents the way physics and metaphor combine, and the paddle’s carvings create a ‘boundary layer' to help propel a waka forward.

Little is known about the history of the waka hoe, which features carvings of mangopare (hammerhead shark), possibly representing strength and resilience. It also incorporates koru (fern frond), which could represent transitions and eternal growth.

The paddle was most recently passed on to Dr Guillermo Merelo, associate director of Staff Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the University of Auckland, by the previous conference hosts in Canberra in 2022. This year, the University will pass it on to the next conference host, who will act as the custodian of the taonga until 2026.

"It's our responsibility and privilege to uncover the stories behind the taonga,” says Dr Merelo, “We share that responsibility with whoever takes on the paddle after us."

The EPHEA conference will cover topics about Indigenous and Pacific best practice, Rainbow communities and disability. It features a strong line-up of equity-focused workshops and speakers, including the University of Auckland Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific, Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau.