Outgoing Kaiarahi, Teariki Tuiono has left behind a legacy for Māori and Pacific students with the newly launched Tuākana Science programme at the University of Auckland.
Passionate about advancing education and research opportunities for Māori and Pacific peoples, Teariki (Atiu/Cook Islands, Ngāpuhi) held the role of Faculty of Science Kaiarahi for three years. He steps away to complete his doctorate, confident that he leaves behind an illuminated and strong pathway for Māori and Pacific students; building on the legacy of Emeritus Professor Michael Walker who established the Tuākana programme in 1991.
Teariki co-designed the new 12-week course in collaboration with Te Tumu Herenga, Libraries and Learning Services. Its purpose is to equip tauira (students) with practical tools and cultural knowledge, helping them to successfully navigate life at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.
The first cohort included undergraduates and postgraduate students from across the Science faculty. The Tuākana programme helps develop skills needed to be able to mentor their younger peers starting out at university. They gathered at Ngā Tauira Marae, giving presentations about their whakapapa and the journey of their course study. It marked a time of celebration – and history.
Teariki, who listened with pride, acknowledged the roopu:
“You will forever be the first cohort to pioneer what will be a successful programme for future generations. These are beautiful reflections.”
Teariki was confident tomorrow’s leaders would emerge from the programme.
“I’ll be expecting some future Prime Ministers and officials, whether that’s in the Pacific or here in Aotearoa. We expect that with the wealth of knowledge you have learnt from this programme.”
“It’s been beautiful knowing that these tauira are going to be future leaders, that they can stand and share their journey of how to navigate this space – which can be very alienating for Māori and Pacific.”
The course was also co-designed by Darlene Cameron (Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kurī), Kaitiaki and Team Leader for Māori and Pacific Learning & Teaching Development, and Veronika Iloilo (Lotofaga Aleipata & Lelumoega Tuai), Programme Lead for Leadership through Learning (LTL).
They met regularly with the cohort and together they explored tikanga Māori while tauira shared personal and academic experiences of navigating the University.
There was hope that the programme would be rolled out to other faculties; the initiative demonstrating how it could enhance the overall student experience at the University.
Darlene says the programme was a huge opportunity for Te Fale Pouāwhina (a whānau of experienced Māori and Pacific Academic Learning Advisers) and LTL to support the kaupapa (purpose) of the Faculty of Science Tuākana programme.
“The programme has allowed tauira to connect with Te Fale Pouāwhina, to stop by from time to time, to know that there is another whānau there with arms open, there to help them in whichever way is possible, and hopefully that will grow and continue over time.”
“Sometimes for us Māori, you’ve got to see it and feel it – you’ve got to be able to touch it, that’s the difference.”
She says celebrating the first Science Tuākana programme was a proud and humbling occasion. Students shared experiences of learning to give a mihi, say a pepeha and connected their studies to their own journeys, on the evening of celebration.
Many students expressed how the programme had helped to strengthen their connection to both their peers and also created a deeper sense of belonging at the University.
“This has opened a huge opportunity for us, for a small whānau from Te Fale Pouāwhina – four kaimahi (staff) supporting the kaupapa of this mahi, it has been incredible.”
