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UC Choice

Wairaamia

01 August 2024

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Māori and Indigenous Studies
Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Waitaha, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāi te Rangi

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Your whānau moved to Ōtautahi just before starting high school. That must have been a difficult transition. Why did you decide to stay and study at UC?

I was devastated to leave Ōtepoti, and always thought I would go back there for uni. However, I developed a deep appreciation for the community, the whēnua, and the support network I had established in Ōtautahi.

The decision to remain in Ōtautahi for university was solidified when I received UC’s Takere Scholarship. It enabled me to participate in a fully-funded, five-week summer programme alongside 50 Māori and Pasifika tauira from across Aotearoa, and laid a strong foundation for my success.

What benefits did the Takere Scholarship provide you?

It was beneficial on both an academic and personal level. It taught us all the basics you need to know before starting uni, like how lectures and labs work. We also got to learn about and experience everyone’s different cultures – Māori, Samoan, Fijian, Cook Islands, and Tonga.

It was so interesting, and it helped us understand each other’s journeys. We really bonded and got to go into our uni experience with this supportive group around us. It was such an awesome experience.

You’re deeply involved with Te Akatoki, UC’s Māori Students’ Association. Tell us about that.

Te Akatoki serves as a second whānau for tauira from across Aotearoa. It has been instrumental in supporting me culturally, academically, and socially, helping me maintain and strengthen my identity. I currently serve as an executive member.

We’re driven to ensure that our rangatahi can have a sense of community and belonging. We offer cultural, academic, and social support by organising events, workshops, and activities that promote Te Ao Māori and cultural identity, and advocate for the needs and interests of Māori students within the university.

The staff, faculty, and fellow tauira create a welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to form connections and feel at home.

How has finding such a passionate Māori community at UC helped you?

When you’re coming into a massive institution as a minority, you have to find your people. Coming out of high school, where I was Head Girl in Year 13, it was humbling. But finding those like-minded people – that second whānau – was crucial. It boosts you up, helps you remain confident in your journey.

Being on the executive for Te Akatoki has also helped because I get to be both teina and tuākana. It’s a cycle; you just keep learning all the time. Especially for those who aren’t from Christchurch, knowing Te Akatoki is there and having a whare where you can just go relax is comforting.

What do UC’s values mean to you, and how do you see examples of them in real life?

Manaakitanga, kindness and generosity, that’s a big staple. You definitely see it. The lecturers are so kind. I recently had to be away for a tangi, and I was surprised that a lot of professors, even ones not from New Zealand, understood the tangi process. They were so understanding and patient; they knew straight away and gave me the support I asked for. It was such a relief.

And whanaungatanga aligns with all the diverse clubs and groups that UC offers. Going to uni is about finding yourself, and through the clubs there are so many opportunities to help you find your whānau and discover who you are.

Have you got any advice for other young Māori students who may be thinking about going to uni?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. During my first year, I was so scared to ask for help. That’s one thing about being Māori – we’re very proud, so it’s hard to reach out for support. It was a big thing for me to let that guard down and admit that I need help. But by asking for help, you get so much more than just help. You build relationships and make key connections.

There are so many support systems at UC – you just have to put your hand up and we’ll come get you from there.

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