“Inspire, challenge, empower, dream - Whakaohooho, werohia, whakamana, moemoeā.”

This event for our Māori students was held at the University of Otago on Thursday.

It was a glorious autumn day, so a great opportunity to tour the campus and explore different activities. 

Following the mihi whakatau, Year 9s went to a Food Science lab where they made Bliss balls, including cricket powder. The Year 10s and 11s had an Escape Room challenge where they cracked kaupapa Māori codes.The Year 12s and 13s visited several libraries and the print room where they saw the press that printed the first paper in Ōtākou. Everyone met at Te Rangihīroa, the newest hostel, for lunch. 

Then we were off to Unipol for a “speed dating” session by students involved in the tuākana tēina programme. We had lots of questions to ask about the realities of student life. Our last session was kapa haka, which was a great opportunity for everybody to learn or refresh some of our old favourites.

 Mana Wāhine was a wonderful day to experience a little of university life and to imagine future plans. Our tauira enjoyed the chance to meet with our “old girls” and hear about their learning. 

Thank you to our Poutama Māori Dean, Michelle Matthews, and to Tama Walker, the Kaitakawaeka Māori Community Liaison Officer for organising this event. 

Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini

My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, as it was not individual success but success of a collective