Celebrating 30 years of Te Rōpū Māori

Mā te pā ka taea te whakatipu te tamaiti.

It takes a village to raise a child.

Registrations are now open for the 30th celebrations of the establishment of Te Rōpū Māori (TRM) as an incorporated society at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka - The University of Otago.

For tauira Māori, Te Rōpū Māori Student Association is the village that provides support for them as they pursue their studies at Otago.

TRM is the political and advocacy body for Māori students on campus, while also providing cultural and social support. TRM also organises social and sporting events throughout the year for students to attend and participate in.

From 8th-10th November, students, alumni, whānau, and all who have been involved with TRM, will gather to celebrate 30 years since it was established.

The event will also celebrate students who attended the University before 1995, and will commemorate the original Māori student support group known as the Māori Club.

It will be a time when alumni will return to reminisce and share memories with old classmates and whānau. Current students will meet tuakana who have gone on to pursue their goals and dreams, they will learn about the whakapapa of TRM, and the mana in which the organisation holds.

For students and alumni alike, TRM has played a massive support role for students as they navigate their way through University life in Dunedin.

Porourangi Templeton-Reedy (Ngāti Porou, Tūhoe, Tainui) Tumuaki of TRM, approaches the responsibilities of the role with a focus on a tuakana-teina relationships as he has been a longstanding tuakana for the association for many years.

“We want our students to feel connected from day one. We want to make sure our students feel supported in every way, socially, culturally, and academically,” says Porourangi.

“Our main focus is ensuring our tauira Māori succeed here at university, that they graduate and excel at whatever they are trying to pursue.

“We support their studies, help them cross the finish line and receive their tohu, and to be the academic weapons we know they are."

The celebration will have wānanga, where key speakers will share about the history and relevance of TRM.

Alumni will share experiences from their time as students, and of course there will be delicious kai and kōrero to bring everyone together in celebration of the special kaupapa.

“The 30th year is a significant moment for us as an Association as well as a University,” Porourangi says.

“Whilst it is a time to reflect, acknowledge and celebrate the mahi we have done so far, it is also a time to pave the way for the next generation of Rangatahi Māori to come through our whare, to make a mark and continue on the amazing legacy that we as a collective have done.”

While the focus on tauira Māori is paramount for TRM, they also liaise with the broader Māori community at local, regional and national levels.

TRM is involved in supporting the local high school kapa haka competitions, visiting high schools to talk about university, and also liaising with outreach teams within the University to support engagement with whānau Māori.

TRM Tumuaki are at the helm of the association that lead the Te Rito executive and assist them with the facilitation of kaupapa Māori (Māori events) throughout the year.

Karamea Pewhairangi is a previous Tumuaki, with proud whakapapa to Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngā Puhi and Ngāi Tahu.

Karamea now works for the University in the International Office as the Manager for Indigenous Internationalisation leading Indigenous partnerships and opportunities for our university.

She shares her experiences of being a Tumuaki and the mahi (work) it entails.

“Tumuaki are the voices of the association, by sitting on committees, speaking at various events and providing feedback on a range of different policies, changes, and reviews,” Karamea says.

“Each president will undergo their own unique challenges, and during my time as Tumuaki in 2020 and 2021 there were definitely a number of things that no one could have prepared me for, including Covid-19, but I took some valuable lessons from these experiences.”

TRM has played a crucial supportive role for students for the last 30 years. Current students are thriving because of it, and past students have been guided to achieving their goals through the unwavering support that the TRM whānau provides.

Mariana Te Pou (Ngai Tūhoe, Ngātiwai, Whakatōhea, Tainui), an alumna of the University, is a life member and previous Tumuaki who still significantly contributes to TRM.

Mariana now works for the University, working closely with the Associate Dean Māori, Kaiārahi Sciences, Kaiāwhina network, tauira Māori and academics to deliver Marae-based science outreach to Māori communities.

With the milestone TRM celebration coming up, she reflects on the assistance she received during her time as a student.

“The support they offered was amazing, ranging from academic, social and cultural engagements,” Mariana says.

“TRM was also a place for me and other tauira Māori to go to balance out our academic studies.

“The TRM whānau hosted many kaupapa to encourage whakawhanaungatanga through Kapa haka, waiata, cooking kai, fundraisers and social events.

“Being with the TRM whānau reminded me so much of home, especially how we would all make kai together in the kitchen, sit around the table, eat kai and just kōrero. We all supported each other not just in studies but in everything we had going on in our lives.

“Te Rōpū Māori was a place for all tauira Māori to connect and engage with our taha Māori.”

The celebration’s theme ka ora kāinga rua – a home away from home, is a well-known generational motto for Te Rōpū Māori. A phrase that holds significance to many who have been a part and are still a part of TRM.

The 30th anniversary of the establishment of Te Rōpu Māori shines a bright light on the years to come for tauira Māori here at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka.

A home away from home, a village that will support you to be the best you can be.

– Kōrero by Māori Communications Adviser Brigham Riwai-Couch