Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon
The University of Otago is launching a new brand. Find out more

Ka mate kāinga tahi, ka ora kāinga rua.
Ko te Huka Mātauraka ka noho hei kāinga rua mō ngā tauira Māori katoa ka tau mai ki Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou.
Mai i te purapura o te hiahia kia haere mai koe, tae noa ki te hui whakapūmau me ngā mahi ka whai ake, ko Te Huka Mātauraka tērā ka poipoi, ka ārahi, ka āwhina i ngā tauira Māori katoa.

All year, every year, Te Huka Mātauraka offers a home away from home for our tauira Māori.

Te Huka Mātauraka is the heart of Māori life on campus, providing services, support, motivation and encouragement. We are an iwi-diverse whānau packed with mātua and whāea who are dedicated to serving our tauira and ensuring they have access to a welcoming place throughout their academic hikoi.

Our services range from academic and tutorial expertise, tuakana teina support, and Year 13 to first-year support through to clinical and therapeutic care when challenges require more than encouragement and awhi.

Make an appointment with one of our Registered Counsellors

Kaimahi | Staff

Michelle Taiaroa-McDonald headshot Nov 2022Michelle Taiaroa-McDonald

Kāi Tahu

Tumuaki | Manager

Address: 519 Castle Street North
Email michelle.taiaroa@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 5762
Reception +64 3 479 8490


Profile silhouetteMartha Dewey

Kaituitui Matauraka Tuarua | Assistant Programme Co-ordinator

Address: 519 Castle Street North
Email martha.dewey@otago.ac.nz
Reception +64 3 479 8490


Tama Walker headshot Nov 2022Tama Walker

Ngāti Porou

Kaitakawaeka | Community Liaison Officer

Our Kaitakawaeka Māori may be your first contact with us. Schools should contact Tama direct to request a school visit. Tama can also provide information regarding the following programmes Hands on Otago, On Campus Experience and Mana Pounamu awards.

Address: 519 Castle Street North
Email tama.walker@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 8505
Reception +64 3 479 8490


Jeremy Wara headshot Nov 2022Jeremy Wara

Waikato, Te Arawa

Kaituitui | Co-ordinator

Address: 519 Castle Street North
Email jeremy.wara@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 4169
Mob +64 21 279 4169
Reception +64 3 479 8490


TeAriki (Terry) MongaTerry Monga Headshot Nov 2022

Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Whātua-o-Ōrākei, Rarotonga

Kai Honohono | Hauora Connector

Address: 519 Castle Street North
Email terry.monga@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 21 279 0191
Reception +64 3 479 8490


Shae MacMillan imageShae MacMillan

Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Apa

Kaiwhakahaere tari | Administrator

Address: 519 Castle Street North
Email shae.macmillan@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 556 5791
Reception +64 3 479 8490


Jenny Miller headshot Nov 2022Jenny Miller

Te Ātiawa

Kaitohutohu | Registered Counsellor

Address: 519 Castle Street North
Email jenny.miller@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 8283
Reception +64 3 479 8490


Amber Kalinowski headshot Nov 2022Amber Kalinowski

Kāi Tahu, Taranaki

Kaitohutohu | Registered Counsellor

Address: 519 Castle Street North
Email amber.kalinowski@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 8300
Reception +64 3 479 8490


Rev Shari Roy headshot 2022Reverend Te Ata Roy

Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi

Te Minita Māori | Māori Chaplain

Reverend Te Ata Roy will be available at Te Huka Mātauraka on Mondays.

Address: 519 Castle Street North
Email maori.chaplain@otago.ac.nz

Visit the Otago Tertiary Chaplains website for more information


Krystle van der Salm headshot 2022Krystle van der Salm

Ngati Ranginui, Ngaiterangi, Ngati Pukenga, Nga Potiki

Kaituitui | Colleges Programme Co-ordinator

Krystle van der Salm will be available at Te Huka Mātauraka on Thursdays.

Address: 519 Castle Street North
Email krystle.vandersalm@otago.ac.nz

Visit the Otago Tertiary Chaplains website for more information


Tauira | Students

Kiringāua and Ella would like to welcome you to Te Huka Mātauraka Māori Centre.

Kiringāua Cassidy

Ngāi Tahu, Ngāpuhi, Te Atiawa (Taranaki), Ngāi Takoto
Bachlelor of Arts, Major in History

Ella McDonald

Kāi Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Waitaha
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Māori Studies, Minor in History

Hītori | History

Nō te tau 1988/89 ka hua mai ko Te Huka Mātauraka i runga i ngā whakapae o tētahi rīpoata me ngā puna pūtea ka tukuna e te kāwana. Nā ngā kaimahi Māori, ngā tauira Māori, Te Amorangi o te Kete Aronui me ngā kaimahi o te Tari Rēhita tēnei whakaaro nui i whakatinanatia.

The University of Otago Māori Centre was initiated in 1988/89 as a direct result of the Watts Report and equity funding released by government. Māori staff, students, AVC Humanities and the Registrar at that time created this development. It was from these groups that the Māori Centre was developed, with senior management also contributing to the decision. Firstly as a support mechanism for Māori students that had to be easily identifiable and a place where outside interest (Māori community) could meet the University.

Back to top