Ara kaimahi tautoko whānau transformation with powerful haka

_{Te Hokinga – Monte Ohia Transformation Awardees (left to right) James Sampson, Lani Pitcher and CJ Wilson with Ara People and Capability Director Ngapua Allen-Naoupu and Ara Executive Director Darren Mitchell.} 

A night of inspirational dedication to community and study ended with a stirring haka for the achievers at Ara Institute of Canterbury’s annual awards for ākonga Māori on this  

The 2024 Eke Panuku awards at Te Pūna Wānaka whare on Ara’s City campus celebrated 43 students from foundation skills learners through to those completing postgraduate study. 

Stories of resilience, generosity of spirit and excellence filled the whare with examples of tauira who’d found a deeper connection with their identity as Māori and sought to uplift others alongside their own study. 

“These awards bring together ākonga, kaimahi, whānau and community to recognise and celebrate the achievements and transformational growth of ākonga Māori,” Ara Cultural Capability and Equity Lead Tate Tiatia said. “The kaupapa seeks to inspire more Māori to come, stay and succeed at Ara by providing recognition in a tikanga-led way.” 

A powerful demonstration of that was the tautoko offered by whānau as their loved ones were called to the stage to hear their citation read out and receive their award.  

Ara Executive Director Darren Mitchell said it was wonderful to hear vivid examples of Ara’s ākonga Māori, demonstrating the ways in which transformation through education affects not only themselves, but also their whānau and wider communities.  

“We also know that bringing in Māori perspectives and knowledge into our teaching practices and student support empowers all ākonga to achieve their goals,” Mitchell said.  “As an institution we’ll be strengthening our focus on this over the next five years with our vision for 2030 affirming our ongoing commitment to this priority area for Ara”. 

Three ākonga were singled out for the pinnacle Te Hokinga - Monte Ohia Transformation Awards  inspired by the late Te Rereamoamo Monte Ohia, a loved and respected Te Pou Matua/Kaiārahi (leader) at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology 2005-2008.  

The award aligns with his vision of “whānau transformation through education” and recognise not just the progress of the learner but the potential benefits for them and their whānau brought about through their dedication to study. 

CJ Wilson (Te Arawa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Maniapoto), studying his New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing was one of the winners. His journey was described as ‘exemplifying resilience, growth, and aroha’. CJs ambition to serve as a role model and contribute to the hauora (wellbeing) of others were key factors behind his recognition.   

Speaking afterwards he reflected on his path from addiction to being three-years clean and recently nailing his first A+. “My study journey and my recovery have come together. Ara has taught me a lot. It’s been an awesome journey and I'm working to finish off my assignments now. I just want to get it done and succeed but I’m enjoying the moment. This has been a beautiful night,” he said.  

Award recipient, Lani Pitcher (Ngāti Ruanui) a second year of Bachelor of Applied Science ākonga was described as ‘an extraordinary wāhine toa whose resilience, leadership and dedication to hauora and whanaungatanga have made her an invaluable member of the Ara whānau’.    

A single mother to her three-year-old tama, Grayson, Pitcher juggles part-time work, volunteering and community engagement with Ara’s Student Wellbeing team, Fire and Emergency NZ, Hato Hōne St John and Pegasus Health.   

“By immersing myself in Ara, both in distance learning and now my bachelor’s degree, I'm striving to defy the odds,” she said. “Ara has supported me to reverse the narrative of what society expects from single mamas and I want to inspire others all the way,” she added.  

The third recipient for 2024, Bachelor of Applied Science ākonga James Sampson (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa), was recognised for uplifting and empowering learners particularly those with high needs through Ara’s Tuakana-Teina programme.  

Beyond Ara he helps coach youth in high deprivation communities, builds whakawhanaungatanga with sufferers of MS and Parkinsons disease and is a tenpin bowling representative player. He aims to contribute to athlete training in the sport.  

“I seek to help others through manaakitanga and kindness and improve the health of my community through sport,” he said paying tribute to his whānau and his Ara tutors. “Being a Tuakana at Ara has opened my eyes to my culture and encouraged me to explore it more.” 

The Te Hokinga - Monte Ohia Transformation Award recipients were gifted pounamu taonga created from kawakawa pounamu and masterfully hand-carved by George Campbell of Kāti Waewae, Arahura Pā.     

Full list of Eke Panuku 2024 winners  

Each of the winners received bespoke art pieces by Potene Designs reflecting artist Mark Potene’s impression of each of the stages of the Ara Whakatau, the Transformation Journey.  

Te Whakatika Ki Te Haere Level 2 Recipients: 

• Maximus Anderson – Trades 

Te Kāhu Kōrako Level 3 Recipients: 

• Nicol-Louis Robinson – Trades 
• Leslie Lewis – Applied Sciences & Social Practice
• Oliver Cranefield – Trades
• Harmony-Ri Young – Hospitality, Business & Services Industries
• Coco Myers – Humanities
• Tui Fa’asina – Applied Sciences & Social Practice
• Mikayla Isaacs – Trades
• Sincerely Karaitiana-Turnbull – Applied Sciences & Social Practice 

Te Uruuru Whenua Level 4 Recipients: 

• Sarah McShane – Applied Sciences & Social Practice 
• Miriama Brislane – Applied Sciences & Social Practice 
• Isabella Wilson – Applied Sciences & Social Practice 
• Matiu Tamaiti – Applied Sciences & Social Practice 
• Tamati Freeman – Applied Sciences & Social Practice 
• Marshell Jones – Applied Sciences & Social Practice
• Corey James (CJ) Wilson – Applied Sciences & Social Practice 
• Laura Kopu – Applied Sciences & Social Practice
• Gabriella Rudolph-O’Donnell – Hospitality, Business & Services Industries
• Nikita McCausland – Applied Sciences & Social Practice 
• Saphire Mahara – Hospitality, Business & Services Industries
• Samuel Sargent – Hospitality, Business & Services Industries
• Arkadian Tainui – Creative Industries & Digital Information 

Te Aranga Ake Level 5-6 Recipients: 

• Cassey Sumby-O’Keefe – Engineering & Architectural Studies
• Tamati Matehe – Humanities
• Breiarn Blokker – Humanities
• Eddy Nikora – Hospitality, Business & Services Industries
• Ayshie McCallum – Health Practice  

Ka Whai Hua Degree Recipients: 

• Nathan Moore – Engineering & Architectural Studies
• Joshua Stenberg – Engineering & Architectural Studies
• James Sampson – Applied Sciences & Social Practice
• Lani Pitcher – Applied Sciences & Social Practice
• Reanna Love – Health Practice
• Mya Clement – Creative Industries & Digital Technologies
• McKenzie Nahona – Health Practice
• Kelly Allen – Health Practice
• Taryn Williams – Applied Sciences & Social Practice
• Te Arahi Mahanga – Health Practice
• Jarkwyn Munro – Applied Sciences & Social Practice
• Jarrod Gear-Ngatai – Applied Sciences & Social Practice
• Connor Wilson – Health Practice

Ka Puāwai Post Graduate Recipients:

• Archie Trimmer – Applied Sciences & Social Practice

Te Hokinga – Monte Ohia Transformation Awards: 

• CJ Wilson, Lani Pitcher and James Sampson.