Menu

Wananga landing Wananga landing
News

Appetite for instruction: a UC grad’s search for identity 

26 August 2024

A journey of curiosity, a love for life and a passion for learning has culminated in a doctorate for UC graduate, Emma Maurice. 

HOW TO APPLY

Photo caption: In the role of Bedel, Dr Emma Maurice leads the procession of graduating students into the University of Canterbury’s Autumn Graduation Celebrations in April 2024.

After more than twelve years with Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha   University of Canterbury (UC), Dr Emma Maurice (Ngāti Kahungungu ki Heretaunga) is graduating for the third time, crossing the stage this September to receive a PhD in Indigenous Philosophy. 

It’s a long-held goal that may not have occurred if not for an unexpected revelation that inspired Dr Maurice to explore her heritage.  

Adopted by a “beautiful Pākehā woman and a wonderful English man,” Dr Maurice didn't understand her Māori heritage until she received a copy of her birth certificate in her early thirties. 

“Finding out I came from the mighty Hawkes Bay came with the realisation that I really didn’t know what it meant to be Māori, and I better go and find out.” 

But the self-described ‘late-bloomer’ knew there was work ahead before she could fully embrace her newly discovered appetite for education.   

“Having left high school in third form (year 9), I needed to complete a bridging summer course in order to start my undergraduate degree, which I smashed out in two and a half years, and a year later graduating with a Bachelor of Arts with first class honours.” 

Next came the real milestone – her doctorate. 

“I always knew I wanted to do a PhD. I needed to do it, and I wanted it to be something to do with language and identity. For my thesis, I studied letters to the editor written by Ngāi Tahu in the 1800s and I used this to create a theory of indigenous agency. 

“In 1854 for example, there were more literate Māori than Pākehā in New Zealand, which meant that in 54 years, Māori had gone from a purely oral culture to being bilingual and bicultural, which is an incredible uptake. I think when we look at stuff like that, we begin to realise there's some awesome nuggets of knowledge in our archives, and they can be really uplifting and empowering. 

“This process established my love of learning. I wasn’t doing it because I felt an obligation to do it. I was doing it because I was curious and UC’s a great place to be curious.” 

Dr Maurice is held with high regard across the University, widely considered an approachable, warm, inspiring and knowledgeable presence on campus. This reputation is well-earned and the result of her passion for education, curiosity and the championing of her students.  

Having previously held the role of Tumuaki (President) of Te Akatoki (Māori Student’s Association), she’s since supported first year ākonga Māori and Pacific students through the University’s Takere programme, taught into several cross-disciplinary courses and ensures her availability to students – every Friday – in the foyer of UC’s School of Aotahi.  

Dr Maurice currently works as a Learning Advisor in UC’s Academic Success Centre (ASC). 

“I put myself in brown spaces to uplift our brown students, but it’s any student, right? Any time a student needs me, doesn’t matter what time of day it is, doesn’t matter what day it is, I’ll always be there.” 

sdg 4 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 - Quality Education.

Voices Across a Century: Ngāi Tahu Indigenous agency in Letters to the Editor

Scan the QR code above for Emma's PhD in a playlist!

This thesis is a re-reading of narratives from settler colonial histories in Aotearoa New Zealand 1850-1950. This thesis is the first corpus of Letters to the Editor, by Ngāi Tahu authors, published 1850-1950 in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The corpus analysis draws from Wittgenstein and Anscombe philosophical theories. The corpus provides examples for theories of language, meaning and use, and intentional action.

Based on corpus analysis, this thesis defines a theory of Indigenous agency, by presenting three new conceptual frameworks, a) Whakapapa of Indigenous agency, b) Philosophical conditions of Indigenous agency and c) Taxonomy of Indigenous agency. Uplifting Indigenous agency, creates potential for us all to become the ancestors our descendants deserve.


More information
 
Visit our media enquiries page to contact UC Media.
What to read next
Privacy Preferences

By clicking "Accept All Cookies", you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.