Student and Alumni Stories
He kōhinga kōrero - students and graduates of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi share their stories
Moana Ellis Bachelor of Humanities Graduate
Moana completed the Bachelor of Humanities majoring in Indigenous Business and Indigenous Studies
Parminder Singh Te Pōkaitahi Reo Graduate
Parminder Singh graduated in 2019 with Certificates in Te Pōkaitahi Reo Level 1 and Level 2
Kath Teepa NZ Certificate in Study and Career Preparation Graduate
Kath Teepa graduated with the NZ Certificate in Study and Career Preparation in 2019
Rāroa Marae, Te Waimana
Rāroa Marae, Te Waimana Kaaku. Ko Tamaruarangi te hapū, ko Te Poho ō Tāne Moeahi te whare tipuna.
Te Kōpua Marae
Te Kōpua Marae is situated between Pironga and Kakepuku mountains. Nestled next to the Waipa river. Home of the Ngāti Unu, Ngāti Kahu and Ngāti Ngawaero. They have participated in a number of Iwi Development programmes.
Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae
Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae engages in our Community Education, Te Pou Hono, Kai Oranga and Te Pōkaitahi Reo Programmes
Pupuaruhe (Toroa) Marae
Pupuaruhe (Toroa) Marae have completed Community Education and Te Pou Hono programmes with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi
Ngatai Whakarongorua Marae
Ngatai Whakarongorua Marae, Tinopai completed marae programmes with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi
Iwitea Marae
Iwitea has been with Awanuiārangi for nearly 10 years. It has changed everything for us. Our first programme was Community Education and it was about whakapapa.
Karangahape Marae
Karangahape Marae, Matangirau, Te Tai Tokerau (Northland) have done Iwi Development programmes since 2006
Aroha Ruha-Hiraka
Nursing degree graduate
Te Moanaroa Ngatoko: Master of Indigenous Studies Graduate
My pathway in tertiary study has been travelled with a group of mates working in health, education and social services.
Dr Mike Paki Doctor of Philosophy graduate
Dr Mike Paki Doctor of Philosophy graduate
Zane Dick Bridging to Nursing and Bachelor of Health Sciences Māori Nursing graduate
Zane Dick Bridging to Nursing and Bachelor of Health Sciences Māori Nursing graduate
Rapaera Tawhai Māori Performing Arts Graduate
Rapaera Tawhai Māori Performing Arts Graduate
Danae Lee Te Pōkaitahi Reo and Environment Studies graduate
Danae Lee Te Pōkaitahi Reo and Environment Studies graduate
Desmond Harawira Te Pōkaitahi Reo graduate
Desmond Harawira Te Pōkaitahi Reo graduate
Barbara Thomason Master of Māori Studies graduate
Barbara Thomason Master of Māori Studies graduate
Dillon Te Kani Bachelor of Humanities graduate
Dillon Te Kani Bachelor of Humanities graduate 2019
Dr Phyllis Callaghan: Doctor of Philosophy (Education)
As a teacher, I became aware that English education systems and cultural practices could not provide a strong, responsive cultural lens for Māori. I saw a whole population of Māori students who were disenfranchised.
Rebecca (Pae) Jaram Bachelor of Education - Teaching Graduate
The education I received at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi in the Bachelor of Education programme has set me up for a career in teaching, one that I am totally enjoying.
Fabian Mika Master of Māori Studies Graduate
My thesis was written in Te Reo Māori. I am a descendant of Tūhoe, raised in Rūātoki and Taneātua. My mother Maraea (Purewa) Mika was my main idol in nurturing me to where and who I am now.
Dr Doris Kaua Doctor of Philosophy graduate
My thesis is about Māori control in Pākehā spaces. Using the story of the Te Māori Exhibition, it discusses mainstream environments where critical decisions are often made for, about, and without Māori people.
Te Reinga Chase Master of Indigenous Studies Graduate
My Ngai Tai connection comes back to Ngāti Pūkeko and Ngāti Awa. A lot of our whānau were passing away from cancers. Our whānau knew this was directly linked to chemicals in the whenua from the Whakatāne sawmills.
Maddie Mason Bachelor of Health Sciences Māori Nursing Graduate
I worked in community health for seven years before joining this degree programme to further my skills and knowledge, especially in indigenous healthcare.
Christina Nuku Bachelor of Humanities Graduate
I graduated with a double major in Indigenous Studies and Policy. Policy underlines all work places, so the flexibility of the degree means there are many opportunities open to me. The BHUM re-set my foundations – it changed everything.
Nigel Rapana Bachelor of Humanities Graduate
The Bachelor of Humanities introduced me to a new world of ideas and thinking. We studied different social theories and I had a double-major focus on indigenous studies and indigenous business.
Shonelle Wana Master of Indigenous Studies Graduate
I started studying at Awanuiārangi with a level 4 certificate in te reo Māori. From there I completed a Bachelor of Mātauranga Māori, and now a Master of Indigenous Studies.
Te Rumate Mahutoto Bachelor of Education - Teaching Graduate
Awanuiārangi is my ancestor and the institution is a whare wānanga in the ancestral landscape of my tribe, Ngāti Awa. The familiarity of the environment, the people, the values and practices encouraged me to ‘rukuhia te mātauranga’ – to seek higher knowledge in an institution that respects my culture and drive to teach and contribute to the revitalisation of Te Reo.
Sharon Barcello-Gemmell Doctor of Indigenous Development and Advancement Graduate
Completing a Doctorate alongside my daughter, Dr Monique Gemmell, has strengthened our family – our children, our grandchildren and my great grandchildren. It has made the family aware that education is the key to everything.
Monique Gemmell Doctor of Indigenous Development and Advancement Graduate
My professional doctorate was as much a personal journey as an academic one. One of the most important things I learnt writing my post-graduate theses is that your research can prove you wrong. You start with an idea, but you might finish at the polar opposite of your starting position. It’s about learning.
Sharleen Peri Bachelor of Humanities Graduate
Studying at Awanuiārangi felt like being at home on my marae. It is welcoming, the facilities are exceptional (the library is incredible!) and it became a safe space to learn and grow.
Samantha (Mahara) Te Peeti Bachelor of Education - Teaching Graduate
I’ve always been passionate about teaching. I’d worked in Kohanga Reo for more than 10 years, and I felt it was time to up-skill and evolve. When I looked into the amazing programmes at Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi and studied the course outlines, I knew where I wanted to be.
Dr Ruahuihui Birney Ahomiro-Robinson Doctor of Philosophy graduate
My thesis was an investigation into using a wetland as a learning environment for Rangatahi Māori.
Raukura Edwards Bachelor of Education - Teaching Graduate
I loved the experience of studying in this programme. I felt at home at Awanuiārangi. The wānanga incorporates te reo and tikanga Māori and I felt a connection to all of the papers because of the inclusion of Māori pedagogy.
Jasmine Pirini Bachelor of Education - Teaching Graduate
I spent a number of years working in a range of positions across the education sector so it seemed a natural progression to acknowledge my experiences by gaining a formal qualification.
Dr Morehu McDonald Doctor of Philosophy graduate
My doctoral rangahau (research) and thesis focused on the resistance, struggle and survival of my Ngāti Hinerangi hapū and iwi of Matamata and Tauranga.
Dr Marla Conwell
Doctor of Indigenous Development and Advancement Graduate
Kirimatao Ahomiro Master of Māori Studies Graduate
If you want to study at an inclusive, professional, supportive and culturally responsive learning environment, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi stands above all.
Henare (Hori) Ahomiro Master of Indigenous Studies Graduate
My Masters research was centred on reviewing family/whānau inclusion in mental health and addictions services.
Dr Carroll Aupouri Doctor of Philosophy graduate
I had studied at Victoria, Waikato and Massey universities and was seriously considering Australia for my PhD when I attended a lecture at the Awanuiārangi campus in Whakatāne. The lecture was teleconferenced to five global tertiary sites, including Hawaii, Alaska and Canada, and it was that strong international indigenous connection that led me to the doctoral programme at Awanuiārangi.
Te Rangihaeata Hare
Māori Studies, Teaching and Te Pou Hono graduate currently studying towards his doctoral degree
Hinerangi Busby Master of Indigenous Studies graduate
Hinerangi Busby completed the Master of Indigenous Studies and graduated in 2018
Hamiora Monika NZ Certificate in Study & Career Preparation graduate
Hamiora Monika is a graduate of the NZ Certificate in Study & Career Preparation
Hemi Williams Bachelor of Māori Performing Arts Graduate
Hemi Williams graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Māori Performing Arts
Fred Williams Bachelor of Māori Performing Arts Graduate
Fred Williams graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Māori Performing Arts
Faren Taylor Kai Oranga Graduate
Faren Taylor graduated in 2017 with Kai Oranga Level 3 and in 2018 with Kai Oranga Level 4
Ngawaiata Turnbull Masters of Indigenous Studies Graduate
Ngawaiata is currently completing her Doctorate
Derek Ereatara Humanities Graduate
Derek Ereatara graduated with the Bachelor of Humanities in 2020
Denise Neumann
Denise Neumann came to Aotearoa from Germany and has completed several Te Pōkaitahi Reo programmes
Dr Robyn Roa
Doctor of Indigenous Development and Advancement graduate
Tracy Gilmer
Māori Studies, Education, and Māori Performing Arts graduate
Toni Boynton
Humanities and Pōkaitahi Reo graduate
Dr Dawn Barron
International PhD alumnus paving the way for indigenous academics
Aroha Ruha-Hiraka
Nursing degree graduate
Te Rangihaeata Hare
Māori Studies, Teaching and Te Pou Hono graduate currently studying towards his doctoral degree
Dr Robyn Roa
Doctor of Indigenous Development and Advancement graduate
Tracy Gilmer
Māori Studies, Education, and Māori Performing Arts graduate