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Tamati Waaka 

Born and raised in Whakatane, Tamati has a background in Māori broadcasting, sports, politics, Māori issues and current affairs. He is a licenced translator with Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori and is currently completing his thesis at Awanuiārangi.

My current role is Academic Advisor/Manager within the School of Iwi Development. I am also the chairperson of the school’s Academic Committee and oversee course reviews, moderation, assessment and programme development.

I was enticed to the wānanga many years ago as a student. At the time I was the wānanga’s youngest student doing papers part time whilst still at high school. There is no place like home, so that keeps me here as well as working in a Māori environment for Māori.

Anyone wishing to study Māori issues, or are Māori, and wish to experience learning in a Māori conducive environment should choose Awanuiārangi, especially those of Mataatua descent.

My current projects include compiling children’s stories for Ngāti Awa and assisting students of Trident High and Tauranga Boys College with their Māori and with waiata. I also do guest lectures on various courses and lecture part-time on education papers.

My future aspirations are to meet the needs of learners and to provide courses that will help them learn about themselves, their whānau and their hapu.

Teaching Responsibilities

• Mao 141 Te Awanui (Semester A 2010) - This course covers conversational and formal Māori with emphasis on establishing the fundamentals of good speech modelling, writing conventions and Te Reo learning techniques.

Publications

• Nga Purakau a Ngati Awa Series 1 and 2.