Student Testimonials
At Awanuiarangi, we measure the success of our programs by what our students have to say about us. Here's a sample of what current and past students are saying about the courses offered at Awanuiarangi and their experience while studying here in our unique environment.
Want to hear more? Speak to an Advisor who will be happy to give you all the information that you need to study here at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.
"I started with the Art and Visual Culture department on a six month bridging programme. This gave me a good insight into the Bachelor of Art and Visual Culture, of which I am currently a second year student.During my last year I was given the opportunity to travel to Seattle with a group of students to the opening of Eternal Thread exhibition which toured the United States of America. My major is raranga (weaving), both traditional and contemporary methods and materials.I am being continually challenged on the degree which I am enjoying and gives me strength and motivation for future artistic endeavours!"
Mark Sykes
Graduate 2008 - Bachelor of Media Studies
My future dreams and aspirations are driven by my desire to make Mäoritanga a normal experience for all. I wish that all children and their families could experience the whanaungatanga (relationship) I experienced with my hapü (sub-tribe) and haukainga (community). So my career will aspire to helping our teachers and teacher trainees become culturally informed about kaupapa Mäori. Ultimately, I dream of establishing my own early childhood centre under the values and beliefs of Mäoritanga.
Tracey Tuheke
Graduate 2009 - Education
I used to be a bushman working in forestry but one day I shook my head and thought I wanted to be the boss and to be doing something that I like and want to do. I saw the advert for Te Aka ki te Wānanga (Aka) and thought maybe that will help me. I needed that little boost. I didn’t sit School C and left in the Fourth Form. From the moment I walked through the door I knew this is what I wanted. It taught me to write letters and stand up before a group of people and talk. I could never do that before. I got to meet different people on the days where we went on trips. These people had aspired to different levels and made me think ‘wow, I think I can do that!’
James Wilson
Graduate - Bridging Certificate - Te Aka ki te Wānanga
Fiona has spent many years within the education system in secondary schools and as a lecturer in the tertiary sector. Born and bred in Auckland, she is married and has two children. She has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management and is currently completing her PhD at Awanuiarangi entitled ‘Indigenous educational leadership: A time to define’
"I chose to do my PhD at Awanuiarangi because I can be Maori in an environment where I don’t have to constantly define myself. Here, the concepts are already taken as validated and legitimate knowledge. I have the opportunity of going to a whare wananga where I can think Maori, act Maori, study Maori and be Maori.
The noho marae we have are really awesome. There is so much support from my peers and fellow cohorts. We feed off and feed each other as we have been and are going through the same experiences.
As a wananga student we have been given opportunities that even as a mainstream lecturer I didn’t have access to. We’re really lucky to have contact with international indigenous scholars. Awanuiarangi has nationally and internationally recognised, prestigious Maori academics. The networks of the wananga are far reaching."
Fiona McGrath
PhD Graduate 2008 - The School of Indigenous Graduate Studies
I’ve always wanted to support wananga. I’ve lived away from home for over thirty years so studying at Awanuiarangi suits my lifestyle. I want to be at home without having to live away from Uawa in order to gain a PhD. I’m able to go into the wānanga for the noho marae and then come home afterwards.
My thesis is about ones ‘Identity’ and how people identify themselves. Who has the power and control in regards to ‘what is considered knowledge’ and who decides who is an iwi and who isn’t. It looks at some post-contact influences upon the terms whanau, hapu and iwi and how they have evolved or devolved in relation to Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti and Ngati Porou.
I’m currently working fulltime on my PhD and part-time tutoring iwi and hapu studies at Te Wananga o Raukawa. This gives me more opportunity to learn and find other research sources. I’m also involved in several committees including one that advises the CEO of the National Archives and a policy sub-committee for Te Runanga o Ngati Porou.
Rawiri Tuhiwai-Ruru
PhD Graduate 2009 - The School of Indigenous Graduate Studies
For me, the journey to learn te reo was a lifelong decision. I grew up in Mangakino, immersed in the Māori Culture, and at the age of 24 I moved to Tokoroa and joined the Police. During that time many of my friends and associates were Māori, in particular my mahi partner whom I watched grow in his level of Te Reo. I could understand the basics of a conversation and learnt various whakatauāki and was always keen to respond in Te Reo, but somehow my throat would dry up, my tongue suddenly weighed 100lbs and there would be a quick English reply! I’ve lost count in the number of times I kicked myself for not trying.
My inspiration to take the next step came from our Police Kaitakawaenga Brian Nicholas who encouraged me constantly and because I felt pretty good knowing a few whakatauāki he did have to put me into perpestive by saying, “There’s no point in saying whakatauāki if you have nothing behind it!”
So when promotion brought me to Whakatane, one of the first things I did was enrol in the Certificate in Māori Immersion (Koeke 2) with Te Ataarangi via the Eastern Bay of Plenty Kaitakawaenga, Joshua Kalan. The evening classes held at Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi suited me fine and they weren’t wrong when they said ‘Māori Immersion’! I enjoy this course for a number of reasons but mainly their learning style suits me – fun, interactive classes; Noho Marae visits; and probably best of all, resources to take home and keep up with the mahi. This has helped me to meet the challenges and committments of learning Te Reo.
It’s definitely been challenging but the results are rewarding. Professionally I have developed great and sincere relationships with local iwi, hapu, and the community, I have colleagues now interested in pursuing their journey of learning Te Reo, I conduct the karakia at hui and personally my children are grasping everyday kupu and enjoy the resources provided by the programme.
Stephen Bullock
Graduate 2009 - Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi