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Victoria University’s Maori studies department is celebrating the 30th anniversary ofm the opening of its marae Te Herenga Waka.
Rawinia Higgins, Victoria’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Maori), says Te Tumu Herenga Waka was the first carved meeting house on a university.
It came about through the vision of leaders like Hirini Moko Mead, Ruka Broughton and Wiremu Parker, who convinced the university of its importance to the faculty.
"For Maori studies the marae is like the laboratory that scientists have across the road. It's a fundamental part of learning matauranga Maori here at Victoria and we continue to teach in the wharenui, people go there to do research and of course to have hui," Professor Higgins says.
The wharenui was designed to give all students a sense of connection, from whichever part of te ao Maori they come.
Today’s celebrations include the signing of relationship agreements with iwi for matched scholarships, the release for consultation of a strategic outcomes framework, the awarding of a Hunter Fellowship to Miriama Evans, and the introduction of Te Tini a Reheua awards recognising the top Maori undergraduate student in each faculty at the university.
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