Thursday 27 February 2020 2:32pm
Kia Ita participants at Otakou Marae. Photos: Sharron Bennett.
Kia mau, kia ū, kia ita! Hold firm, be committed and steadfast! A kick-start programme that aims to prepare Māori students for study at Otago launched this year and whakawhanaungatanga, the process of establishing relationships, has played a key role in its success.
The Office of Māori Development alongside the Office of Student Success identified the need to develop a programme that supported first year Māori students’ transition into tertiary study. Research conducted by the Office of Student Success highlighted the benefits of providing a preparation programme that would equip students with the tools to navigate all aspects of university life.
Ka hua ake, ko Kia Ita focusses on giving students the opportunity to adapt and understand University processes from an early stage. This is so that the students can transition smoothly into tertiary study.
Many students who pursue tertiary study can find it difficult to navigate university as soon as they arrive. It could take the average student around four weeks to understand the academic, social and cultural demands of university life.
“A university preparation programme like Kia Ita is beneficial for any student who decides to pursue tertiary study” says Barlow Anderson, Project Manager.
Matthew Proffit (Ngāti Porou), far left, participates in the Kia Ita university preparation paper.
Barlow’s main aspiration for the programme is that students enjoy themselves, learn lots and make new friends. Naturally, students will be learning academic skills within the classroom. The networks and relationships built during time at university are far more significant, and Kia Ita is a platform for this.
Matthew Proffit (Ngāti Porou), a former student of Gisborne Boys High School, is among the first intake of students to Kia Ita and says he was keen to experience a different way of life whilst being immersed in tertiary education.
The scholarship Matthew gained encouraged him to choose Otago. Matthew will be studying a Bachelor of Commerce along with minoring in environmental planning and believes the programme has been beneficial and has made the transition to university life very easy.
Tauira have connected more to their culture through lectures and visiting Ōtākou Marae was a great way to connect to local iwi. Being immersed with Māori and Pacific Island students has been amazing, he says.
“Now I know I have lifelong friends before university even starts,” says Matthew.
Destiny Tupara (Ngāti Raukawa), a former student of Horowhenua College, is also among the first intake of students to Kia Ita and says she is excited to experience a new place and a bigger city.
Destiny Tupara (Ngāti Raukawa), left, enjoys lunch with other Kia Ita participants.
“I have learn’t how to not procrastinate and get the mahi done,” Destiny says.
A highlight for Destiny has been the whānau environment. She says “this programme has given me a greater sense of belonging and inspires me to succeed.”
The overarching kaupapa of instilling skills to prepare tauira for university life will no doubt have a positive impact on wellbeing and overall academic success as first semester approaches.
Mā ō mahi ka kitea koe e te ao, e tō iwi Māori.