Ngā Mana Whakairo a Toi - Bachelor of Māori Performing Arts
The Bachelor of Māori Performing Arts (BMPA) was, first and foremost, a way of documenting what our cohort of ex-Te Waka Huia performers learnt under Ngapo and Pimia Wehi. It was an opportunity to honour their legacy and teachings. We thought this might be a way of helping to support the BMPA degree and give something back. Over and above that, it was an opportunity to learn from others and share their experiences.
The 16 people in our cohort Ngā Morehu worked together as a whānau – it made all the difference. We supported each other through the degree and knew we could be successful in this way. We got together for a weekend every few months to revise and study. At our weekend noho, we’d go straight into lectures until late Friday night, then from 8am-10pm after that. We didn’t tire – we were engaged the whole time. That comes down to good leadership, lecturers, programme content and interaction. The support was absolutely amazing.
Undertaking this degree has given all of us the opportunity to learn something new, such as the art of research and the discipline of academic writing. Graduating was definitely the highlight, an achievement none of us had experienced before.
Hemi Williams at his graduation in 2019 with a Bachelor of Māori Performing Arts
Kimihia he huarahi ako
What can you study?
Ngā Mana Whakairo a Toi: Bachelor of Māori Performing Arts
Ngā Mana Whakairo a Toi: Bachelor of Māori Performing Arts produces kaihaka who are valued repositories of mātauranga Māori, te reo Māori, tikanga Māori and Māori performing arts; ensuring graduates have the mātauranga and skill base fully recognised within Māori communities. This programme provides quality training for kaihaka who aim to work in teaching, cultural tourism, media and a range of other mediums; to enhance Māori performing art tutor development and to provide pathways into the fields of Māori development and business initiatives.