Ngawaiata Turnbull

Master of Indigenous Studies with First Class Honours

Te Reo Māori Thesis Scholarship Award 2015

PhD candidate and recipient of E Au Ai Te Reo three-year doctorate scholarship and recipient Teach NZ Te Reo Māori Study Award 2019

I am mum to my three children and a teacher of pāngarau (mathematics) and Mātauranga Māori NCEA at Te Wharekura o Huiarau Ruatāhuna. I was raised in Ruatāhuna and Maungapōhatu. In 2017, my life partner and I moved back to Ruatāhuna from Ruātoki. We want to allow our children to experience the unique lifestyle of this isolated, warm Tūhoe community.

I have been teaching for more than 20 years. The first Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi graduate to complete a double degree in 2002, I now hold a Masters with First Class Honours in Indigenous Studies from Awanuiārangi. In 2019, I received a Teach NZ scholarship to allow foundational, concentrated research and writing on my doctoral studies, and I’m very proud to be the recipient of the E Au Ai Te Reo three-year doctorate scholarship.

My thesis will be written in te reo and will aim to strengthen, restore, and reinstate the essence, identity, cohesiveness and cadence of heritage reo narratives of Iharaira-Maungapōhatu. The Iharaira were the followers of the tipuna Rua Kēnana.

My thesis will include theological scriptural verse, sung and spoken chants, and an anthology of poetic verse to support marae wānanga, whaikōrero and karanga of Maungapōhatu and Ruatāhuna. There is urgency to compile these oral and written literature, anthologies and philosophies to establish and grow the canons of reo academic knowledge. They will contribute to building resilient and sustainable reo communities for Iharaira-Tamakaimoana.