Māori Student Stories

Rongowhakaata, Tūhoe, Ngāpuhi
Student: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Year 2.
 

“Mātauranga has always been a valuable taonga to my whānau. To us, mātauranga is the key to opening the doors to opportunities that will eventually allow us to give back to our people, our whānau and our iwi.
“I am passionate about Māori health. Māori are continuously faced with health-related inequities, due to deeply rooted systematic, personalised and internalised racism, stemming from colonisation. There is not enough aroha and manaakitanga in the health system for our people. We need more passionate, empathetic and understanding Māori health professionals, to tend to our people who are inequitably unwell and misunderstood. When I have gained my qualifications, I will return home to Te Tai Rāwhiti, to work with my iwi and local community.
“I chose to study at the University of Auckland because of its accolades and because it is close to my whānau. I am fortunate to have grown up with Te Reo Māori me ōna tikanga, and with a strong standing in my ahurea.
These are things that keep me grounded and allow me to walk confidently in both Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pākehā.”
Ko te manu kai ai te miro, nōna te ngahere. Ko te manu kai ai te mātauranga, nōna te ao.
The bird that feeds on the miro berry, his is the forest. The bird that feeds on knowledge, his is the world.
 

Ngāpuhi, Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa
Graduate: Certificate in Health Sciences (2017)
Student: Bachelor of Science (Physiology)

“Being the second oldest in my family, I have always carried the responsibility to set an example for my teina. I was fortunate enough to attend Kings College and be surrounded by high achievers, so the University of Auckland seemed like the perfect place to study. I wanted to challenge myself and continue to be a role model for my brothers and cousins.
“I am currently in my second year of a Bachelor of Science (in Physiology) with the hope of Postgraduate study. Although the transition from high school sounded overwhelming, the immense academic awhi for Māori helped make the transition smooth. After being at the University for a few years now, I can say the extra support I have received from both the Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme (Faculty of Medical and Health Science) and Tuākana programme (University-wide learning community) have been instrumental in not only my success but that of countless others.
“I am forever grateful for the aroha shown by certain family and friends who have kept, and continue to keep, me grounded on this journey – and drive me towards my goal of paying-it-forward to the wider community throughout Aotearoa.”
Inā kei te mōhio koe ko wai koe, i anga mai koe i hea. Kei te mōhio koe, kei te anga atu koe ki hea.
If you know who you are and where you are from. Then you will know where you are going.
 

Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Wahiao, Ngāti Kea, Ngāti Tuara, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Awa
Student: Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Commerce Conjoint, Year 3

“I grew up sheltered in the bosom of my iwi, Te Arawa, and much of my tertiary success can be attributed to the never-ending support and love of my whānau, hapu and iwi.
“Moving up to Auckland was a huge shock to the system, and I would not have had such a smooth transition if I had not been introduced to Ngā Tauira Māori (NTM). NTM helps connect tauira Māori studying at the University of Auckland through educational, social and cultural events run throughout the academic year. Through NTM, and these events, I have made life-long relationships.
“Hineahuone – the Māori Students common space – and Waipapa Marae have become a home away from home. I cannot emphasise enough how significant it was to have spaces I felt comfortable being my authentic Māori self.
“I decided to come to the University of Auckland because not only because it is ranked number one in New Zealand, but also because I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship (the Māori Academic Excellence Scholarship).
“My dream is to establish a business, run by Māori, for Maori, where the profits go back to Māori through educational grants and scholarships. I want to show our people that we do not have to work for Pākeha organisations to become successful, or wealthy. We have the necessary tools within our kete.
“I stand unequivocally and unapologetically proud as a strong Māori woman who hails from the sulphur city that is Rotorua. What I have accomplished is because of the tautoko, aroha, and never-failing drive of my iwi.”
Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei.
Seek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.
My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, as it was not individual success but success of a collective.
 

Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Manunui, Ngāti Porou
Graduate: Bachelor of Arts majoring in Māori Studies and Psychology

“I was very lucky to have grown up in my home town of Taupō. However, upon finishing high school, I was ready for a faster paced environment with more diverse opportunities. This was the main reason I decided to study at the University of Auckland.
“I pursued Māori Studies and Psychology. This gave me a chance to reconnect with aspects of my Māoritanga that I had not connected with through school. It is my favourite department at the University of Auckland because of the warm nature of all of the Māori staff who are there. Psychology was a subject I had no idea about before coming to University. I instantly took a huge interest in this area and the sorts of things it is concerned with, especially in relation to mental health. My newfound interest in this area was thoroughly accommodated by the University’s School of Psychology and I look to complete more study in this area one day.
“My whānau have had the biggest impact on my success. Although they are not in Auckland, they have always made sure that I have everything I need up here to succeed academically, and also to feel comfortable and happy while doing so. The next major impact has been the Tuākana programme. Tuākana and the people in the programme have made me feel more than comfortable in what can be a daunting context, especially being a Māori from a small town moving to the city and studying at the largest university in Aotearoa.
“The last factor that has boosted my success has been the Māori Studies lecturers. They have always been the most supportive when it comes to my assessments and also with planning out my career. I was very lucky to have completed a summer research scholarship with the James Henare Māori Research Centre in my last year of study. This helped me apply a lot of the skills I had developed through my degree in a setting that I really enjoyed. I currently work for this centre across a range of research projects that have a Te Ao Māori focus. I wouldn’t have been able to get this job without the skills and teachings that my degree gave me.”
Kua tawhiti kē to haerenga mai, kia kore e haere tonu. He nui rawa ō mahi, kia kore e mahi tonu.
You have come too far not to go further, you have done too much not to do more.
Tā James Henare
 

Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi
Graduate: Doctor of Philosophy (Dance Studies)

“I’m quite familiar with the University’s Dance Studies programme as I’m privileged to be the first Dance student to study consecutively from undergraduate level through to honours and finally a doctorate. I’ve been a student and a graduate teacher. I’ve travelled on numerous occasions, presenting and performing with Dance Studies. So it made sense that this is where I would continue my doctoral study.
“The title of my doctorate is Ngā whatinga-rau o Iho: Critical reflections of iho in Haka Theatre through personal pūrākau of four Hawaiki Tū kaihaka. In this writing I explored notions of iho in Haka Theatre. Through pūrākau of four kaihaka it was revealed that Haka Theatre contributes to fostering community, strengthening Māoritanga, and the ritual processes situate Haka Theatre as a space of cultural interaction. The findings contribute to knowledge and understandings of Indigenous practices in performing arts in Aotearoa and globally.
“I believe this thesis can broadly contribute to scholarship, dance and Māori performing arts in areas such as community and relationships in dance, institutions, dancers, teachers and choreographic practices. There are also potential global connections to support the body of Indigenous literature within performance and creative arts practices. This study values and encourages the use of Māori concepts like iho to guide, support, reflect, and challenge our own practices and understandings when working with Indigenous knowledge, ways of knowing, doing, and being in the world. There is a growing interest in indigeneity and performance, not only within Aotearoa, but throughout the world. Within this movement comes a responsibility for Indigenous artists, practitioners, and researchers to be protectors and carriers of such knowledge. There is an additional responsibility to develop and reflect on Indigenous processes in order to find relevance within the contexts Indigenous peoples are now occupying.
“My whanau support was a significant factor in ensuring I completed my thesis. I also would like to acknowledge my supervisors, Dr Rosemary Martin and Dr Arapera Ngaha, who were pillars throughout my doctoral journey. The Dance Studies whānau have always supported my endeavours and continue to do so. I’m lucky that the nature of my study engaged with amazingly talented creative artists throughout my four years of doctoral research, so they were also an important inspiration to carry on and finish!”
 

Ngāti Hikairo
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Commerce Conjoint,
Year 3

“Before moving here I was fearing a lot of things. City life seemed scary. But my sisters live in Auckland too and I feel safe when they are near me. After moving from Gisborne to Auckland, I realised how special it is to be a young Māori male. A culturally diverse place like Auckland makes me appreciate my heritage so much more. In my first year, I got my certificate in rongoā, I joined in kapa haka, I learnt my whakapapa and now I want to do my masters in Māori engineering.
“The Māori Students Association (NTM) has been a huge part of my University journey. This family has fed me, clothed me, housed me, inspired me and always been concerned for my learning. They have given me a place to study – or if I didn’t feel like studying, a place just talk to buddies.
“My biggest inspiration is my late whakairo teacher. Throughout high school he was always on my team, even funding me to come here and pursue my dreams. He is a perfect example of who I want to be. My family is my backbone, I cannot wait to take this degree back home."

Ngāpuhi, Tainui and Niue
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws conjoint
 

“Tōia ki Waipapa allowed me the opportunity to find my place within the University. I was introduced to other Māori staff and students and found a new university whānau.
“I chose to do Tōia ki Waipapa as I felt it would give me a place to belong. I wanted to make friends and build relationships with other rangatahi and tuākana who had similar upbringings, experiences and aspirations as myself.
“It definitely gave me a taste of what University life will be like in Semester One.
“I became familiar with the campus and the work ethics that were needed to achieve the results that I wanted. It also allowed me to make connections and relationships going into the semester, which made settling in a lot easier.
“I found the lectures and tutorials very stimulating and eye opening. They encouraged me to reconstruct the way I think by unlearning a lot of the incorrect information I was taught about being Māori while I was growing up.
“I was the first in my whānau to enter University, and the programme gave me a sense of grounding about who I am and why I’m taking these next steps for. As a Māori/ Niuean student, I not only carry the weight of my own goals and aspirations for the future, but I am also carrying my tupuna, whānau and community with me.”

Ngāpuhi, Ngāruahine

“The best part of the Tōia ki Waipapa experience was meeting new people and building connections. So I had an awesome support network going into my first year of study.
“Tōia ki Waipapa prepared me by showing how the university functions and giving me an early understanding of the resources available. It also allowed me to prepare for study and to set other expectations for my first year at university.”
 

Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Porou, Kāi Tahu, Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Tama

“Tōia ki Waipapa was the best programme for me as we were able to study with fun activities planned throughout the 6 weeks.
“The programme gave me practical experience of university culture and allowed me a broad understanding of what things I should expect when the first semester started. It also allowed me to make many new friends who I’d continue to communicate with as I progressed through the rest of the year.
“When completing the course Māori 130 during Tōia ki Waipapa, I learnt a lot about the historical context of Aotearoa. We went over much detail about many of the most crucial moments in our history. It was eye-opening.”

Te Arawa, Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Ngapuhi, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, Tūhoe
Bachelor of Arts (Criminology and Māori Studies)

“What made me decide to study Criminology was learning about the prejudices against criminals. These misunderstandings are influenced by racism embedded in our legislation – so, by nature, this ignites the Māori radical within me.
“Leaving high school, I still had no idea what I wanted to study. I tried two other courses before I settled on the degree I am doing now. I eventually want to work in Forensic Psychology to encourage whānau Māori in the system to open up more about their traumas.
“The most valuable thing I’ve got from my studies is the ability to stay open-minded to alternative perspectives.”