PhD Student driving change in education

Studying at the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka was initially far off her radar, but a soon to be Doctor of Education now finds herself leading meaningful research here.

Bianca Elkington (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Koata, and Ngāi Tahu), has always had a firm belief that education is more than classrooms and qualifications.

She believes that for Māori students especially, using whakapapa and identity are crucial to making spaces where students can thrive.

Raised in Takapūwāhia, Porirua, Bianca is grounded in her iwi and community.

“Being raised around my mother’s whānau has meant that Ngāti Toa has played a major role in shaping my identity as Māori,” she says.

“We were raised around the marae and still live there today. It’s been important to me, especially as I raised my children, to ensure they had solid roots to their papakāinga, to know where home is.”

While she completes her PhD through the National Centre of Peace and Conflict by distance, Bianca recently spent time on campus and was impressed by the aroha and support the University has for Māori students.

“I spent a few days on campus connecting to different people and support services and I’ve really enjoyed it. Everyone was so friendly, helpful, and even though I’m brand new I’ve felt very welcomed.

“I’m really impressed by the support Otago has for Māori students and that gives me greater confidence.”

The title of Bianca’s PhD is Te Whakahoungatanga Mātauranga mō Ākonga Māori: He Ara Iwi mō te Angitu me te Mana Motuhake - Transforming Education for Māori Learners: An Iwi Pathway to Success and Self-Determination.

“My goal is to tell the stories of those who participate in the research, because it will be their stories and the models we create that will change the education landscape."

Bianca’s professional background started in teaching. During the past decade, she has worked for her iwi, mainly focusing on the innovation of education, and more recently, education to employment.

She has also presented at several conferences and co-authored many articles, including the bestselling and award-winning Bridget Williams Book Imagining Decolonisation with Matua Moana Jackson, and others.

“I’ve loved this space because it’s ours to create. We’ve been able to listen to whānau, build strong networks, and design programmes with our people at the centre of everything we do.”

This passion has motivated Bianca to pursue a PhD at the University of Otago this year, aiming to address the limitations of the current system by proposing an iwi-led system rooted in Māori sovereignty, specifically for Ngāti Toa.

Her research has a mixed methods approach that utilises surveys initially and will provide a more detailed understanding of how Ngāti Toa collectively views education success, including models created that have pushed the barriers on the current system.

“My goal is to tell the stories of those who participate in the research, because it will be their stories and the models we create that will change the education landscape,” she explains.

Choosing the University of Otago for her PhD wasn’t initially on her radar. However, Bianca says the presence of Dr Liana MacDonald, her supervisor and co-director of the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, was a big influence.

“Bianca brings an excellent level of academic and professional expertise to doctoral studies at the University of Otago,” Liana says.

“Her research project will help to mitigate shortfalls in the mainstream education system and support iwi in their drive to support taiohi Māori achieve educational success.

“Bianca’s work also aligns with Te Ao o Rongomaraeroa’s priorities, to produce research that is beneficial for Māori and Moriori communities and Aotearoa New Zealand too.”

Another factor of Bianca choosing to study at Otago, was the provision of dual supervision, something she says the University is really supportive of.

Her second supervisor is Dr Rebecca Kiddle from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, “Her humility and genuine commitment to opening doors for others is something I have always admired, and I feel privileged to have her support my journey,” says Bianca.

Bianca speaks fondly of her upbringing in Takapūwāhia and attributes her success to her upbringing.

“It is a beautiful place to be raised. Our marae and church are big parts of our lives, we have whānau everywhere, your cousins are your best friends, and your aunties and uncles are like your parents.”

Despite the loss of her father at a young age, Bianca maintained strong ties to his whānau, who for her, are great examples of the contribution education can make to your family and your community.

Bianca is also a wife and mother. She’s married to Jay Elkington (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Kahungunu, and Ngāti Toa), and together they are raising their three tamariki.

“I also have a daughter here in her second year of medicine. The chance to be at the same university, both on the pathway to becoming doctors makes me smile and laugh at the same time.”

Although her research is grounded in Ngāti Toa, Bianca sees its potential to influence change everywhere and has been the motivation for her over the past decade.

“My passion is for an education system that works for all our kids. I hope my research offers something that provokes change and gives other communities the courage to challenge and create systems that work for their rangatahi.”

- Kōrero by Brigham Riwai-Couch, Māori Communications Adviser