Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka has a record number of tauira Māori graduating from the BDS programme this year. Graduand KC Treanor (pictured in pink), says that having more Māori clinicians makes a real difference for Māori health outcomes, and that having more Māori graduates will hopefully show other young Māori that they too can thrive, lead, and excel in these pathways.
The largest number of tauira Māori across all three oral health disciplines will graduate from Te Kaupeka Pūniho – Faculty of Dentistry at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka this year.
Twenty-six Māori students will complete their studies – 15 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, eight with a Bachelor of Oral Health, and three with a Bachelor of Dental Technology – making it a milestone year for the 118-year-old Faculty.
Associate Dean Māori and Senior Lecturer in the Bachelor of Oral Health programme, Samuel Carrington (Te Arawa) has been heavily involved in supporting these students.
“Every one of them has shown real commitment, resilience, and pride in who they are. Many have taken on leadership roles, represented Māori students nationally, and been active in community outreach.
“They’ve worked incredibly hard, and their success is something we can all celebrate,” he says.
Samuel has helped create spaces where tauira can be themselves and succeed as Māori. This has included mentoring, helping navigate University systems and offering academic, cultural, and personal support.
“The impact these graduates will have on our country is massive. They will go on to serve whānau all over Aotearoa, providing care that’s grounded in understanding and connection,” Samuel says.
“Watching them walk across the stage will be emotional. It’s not just their achievement, but their whānau’s, and a reflection of the collective effort behind them.”
Kōhatu Centre for Hauora Māori is a centre for teaching and research excellence and has played a role in supporting tauira Māori with their studies.
“Kōhatu provides incredible wraparound support for our tauira Māori across the Division of Health Sciences. They help connect tauira through wānanga, mentoring, and pastoral care, creating a real sense of belonging,” Samuel says.
President of Ngā Mōkai, the Māori Dental Students Association, KC Treanor (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te-Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngā Puhi) will be one of the students graduating with a Bachelor in Dental Surgery this Saturday.
KC worked in an executive team of eight within Ngā Mōkai, focussing on uplifting tauira to excel academically and feel supported in their University journey, while fostering a strong sense of belonging within the Faculty. In her time, she has helped other students reach the graduation stage.
“I am excited, a little nervous, but ready to get out there and apply what I have learnt here at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka. It’s surreal too, seeing this journey come full circle, remembering all the long nights, challenges and moments of doubt. At the same time, there’s pride, relief, and huge gratitude for my whānau, friends, and mentors who supported me along the way,” she says.
“Graduating is stepping into something bigger, a chance to make a real difference, while staying grounded in who I am, my values, my whānau and the communities I represent.”
KC says that being part of the University’s largest ever Māori Dental graduate cohort is really special.
“From the very start, our numbers created a strong sense of whanaungatanga, just seeing so many tauira Māori together made navigating the degree, the Faculty, and the University feel much less intimidating.
“Being here at Otago has helped me meet amazing people, friends, and has given me a lifelong extended whānau.”
When asked about the importance of having Māori in dentistry, KC emphasised that it not only contributes to improved Māori oral health outcomes, but also helps pave the way for future generations to see themselves belonging in health professions.
“It’s exciting to know that our cohort is part of a bigger shift, one where Māori belong, lead, and thrive in health care, and where future generations can see pathways to success that were not always visible before.”