A big thank you and farewell to Tewaiehu for being a much loved member of our Kōtui Ako and NEX Kōtuitui whānau.

Tewai is a great eTeacher, a valued colleague, and she played an important role in shaping the direction of the organisation as Kaiārahi Mātauranga Māori. 

Insight into te ao Māori

Tewaiehu’s first presentation to the team was her pepeha. Her session opened our eyes to te ao Māori from the perspective of a culturally embedded wahine.  She wove her whakapapa, important relationships, turangawaewae and local pūrākau into a digital presentation that gave us insight into her life. For many of us, Tewaiehu’s upbringing was starkly different to a life we had experienced - a life rich with whānau, ancestry, reo and culture. More importantly, it was a reflection of a life that may be familiar to many of our students. It allowed us insight into growing up in an environment where te ao Māori was everywhere, a way of thinking that positioned the past as critically important to the future, and whānau as centre. The way in which the presentation unfolded, not explicit in its order or purpose, alluded to a different way of sharing information - interlaced with metaphors, and demanding reflection. It was eye opening and necessary. 

Imparting knowledge & leadership

Tewai’s ease of delivery was also present when passing on understanding of tikanga and reo to both kaiako and ākonga. She led engaging classes in Te Reo Māori and kapa haka, and was able to connect with tauira and share her passion. Similarly, our wider teaching community improved their reo and understanding of tikanga through Te Waharoa classes which Tewaiehu designed and taught for NEX Kōtuitui. Tewai also presented to a national audience at the 2024 ULearn conference, taking the responsibility and success in her stride.

Finally, we would like to recognise Tewaiehu's position at the leadership level. Institutional change comes from the ground up, but it also needs to be supported and strengthened from the top. Her impact in leadership meetings, directional documents, operations and procedures has begun to normalise the influence of te ao Māori in our organisation in a meaningful way. She was an invaluable resource for integrating increasing elements of te ao Māori into all of our programmes, our staff meetings, professional development and the kaupapa of Kōtui Ako. 

Anō, ngā mihi nui e hoa. We will miss her presence, but we’re all excited for Tewai to share her gifts and knowledge with the team at Unitec.

Kei ō ringaringa te ao.

The world is yours.

Ngā mihi mō ngā tau kei mua i te aroaro,

The Kōtui Ako team & ākonga.