Birthday party marks 10 years of ākonga support

A special birthday party was held on campus last week, celebrating the 10th anniversary of Te Punaka Ōwheo, our dedicated Māori ākonga support office.

Around 60 guests enjoyed the relaxed lunchtime event at Manaaki Restaurant, including current ākonga, and former students and graduates keen to celebrate what the support service meant for their tertiary learning.

The birthday party lunch was catered by students from the Food Design Institute and was organised as a “fun rather than formal” celebration, including lollies and party favours.

Te Punaka Ōwheo was set up a decade ago as a campus-based service to help improve student success for the polytech’s Māori learners.

“The team that founded Te Punaka Ōwheo (TPO) had a powerful vision that Māori learners deserved more than simply access to education,” says Rebecca Swindells, Tumuaki Whakaruruhau.

“They deserved a place where they could belong, be seen, be supported, and thrive as Māori.”

Services offered by Te Punaka Ōwheo include cultural, academic, and social support. This can range from help with scholarships, research into their heritage (pepeha and whakapapa), regular social events including whānau, and support around studies, programmes, and workloads.

22 year old Shannon Andrews Miles is doing an electrical pre-trade qualification and says TPO has created a welcoming community.

“So even if you haven’t had a Māori environment and you don't speak te reo, you’re kindof brought into a community where everybody feels included,” says Shannon.

Tereinamu Hakopa (Kaitakawaeka Māori) says Te Punaka Ōwheo aims to provide students with a sense of belonging as they navigate their tertiary journey.

"Students and graduates say Te Punaka Ōwheo provides them with a sense of belonging as they navigate their tertiary journey," says Tereinamu Hakopa, Kaitakawaeka Māori.

"Many ākonga tell us that TPO has positively contributed to their studies here.

“Being cheerleaders and encouraging students to keep going has contributed to Māori learners staying engaged in their studies and achieving a qualification,” she says.

Chad Steiner-Mitchell did his placement with Te Punaka Ōwheo as a Social Services student before graduating in 2023, and believes the service is really important.

“It can make such a big difference in Māori learners' lives, as it did for me,” he says.

“TPO helped with my self-confidence and with my studies study in general.  I wasn't a good learner at high school, but their support really scaffolded me throughout my learning and my journey into exploring my whakapapa and my Māoritanga journey as well.”

Rebecca says TPO’s vision has been shaped by exceptional leadership over the years, and Wednesday’s birthday lunch welcomed back some of the Tumuaki who carried this kaupapa and helped guide its development.

“As we celebrate ten years, we can be proud of how far we have come, but perhaps even more excited about where we are going,” she says.

“We’ll continue to advocate for our learners, strengthen our partnerships, grow opportunities, and ensure that Māori learner success remains at the heart of what we do," says Rebecca.

The lunchtime event follows a more formal 10th anniversary dinner held recently for kaimahi and other guests who played key roles in the history of Te Punaka Ōwheo.