Lotu Ausage (left) and Kenny Brown (right) are graduating in the first cohort of UC’s Mātauranga Māori education pathway.
As part of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) Ako: Bachelor Teaching and Learning degree, the Mātauranga Māori endorsement centres on te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, drawing on Māori knowledge, philosophies and values to prepare graduates to work in whare kōhungahunga (early childhood) or kura tuatahi (primary education).
After 17 years as a builder, Kenny (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Irakehu, Tuhourangi-Ngāti Wahiao, Tuwharetoa, Rongawhakaata, Ngai Tamanuhiri, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa) returned to study as part of his journey to reclaim his language.
“After leaving work, I spent a year fully immersing myself in te reo Māori, with the goal to have a good grasp of my language. I then discovered this course which offered another challenge and an opportunity to create a different experience for tamariki than the one I grew up with. It offers a holistic view – Te Whare Tapa Whā: body, mind, soul and whānau.”
The Mātauranga Māori endorsement gave Kenny the confidence to take up a new role at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Whānau Tahi supporting Kura Taiao – connecting education with the natural world. “This course has helped me step into leadership in this space, which I would not have been able to do otherwise. In this role I can help tamariki to re-immerse themselves in who they are – to put the child at the centre of the learning, not the results.”
Teaching also connects Kenny to his whakapapa – two grandparents were principals and te reo Māori teachers; one of his sisters is a principal, and another is working in early childhood education. He also serves as Māngai at Wairewa Marae, helping to uphold tikanga and cultural knowledge.
Lotu Ausage, whose family are from Samatau and Leulumoega in Samoa, was also drawn to the programme’s alignment with her education philosophy. “I initially went to UC seeking an English-medium teaching qualification. I had no idea about Mātauranga Māori, but Samoan and Māori have very similar values and worldviews so that was a strong pull for me.”
Lotu returned to study after 15 years, with her time working as a learning support assistant at Te Kōmanawa Rowley School – where she was once a student – reigniting her passion for teaching. "I was quite fortunate that our primary school had a Māori bilingual class and a Samoan bilingual class. For me, education has always been about identity and belonging. When learners see themselves reflected in what they’re taught, it changes everything. Mātauranga Māori gives us the tools to teach in ways that are meaningful, relevant and empowering for our tamariki.”
Lotu says the programme's approach differed significantly from traditional university experiences. The initial interview process involved bringing whānau members who spoke on behalf of prospective students. “There's this proverb in te reo Māori that talks about the kumara doesn't talk of its own sweetness and that your whānau or the people that you value will do that for you. It wasn't really so much an interview; it was more like a kōrero, like a winding up between you and the lecturers so that they get to know you more.”
As one of the first graduates of the endorsement, Lotu hopes her journey will encourage others to pursue a similar pathway. "I feel so honoured to be part of the first cohort of Mātauranga Māori. We knew we were doing something new that would open doors for others, which motivated me to give everything to my studies and the kaupapa.
"I am the first in my immediate family to graduate with a degree. It means so much because this is also a testament to God’s Faithfulness and my parents' sacrifice in immigrating from Samoa. I look at my nephews and nieces and I'm like, ‘this is why I'm doing it’, because I want them to see that they too can do it.
“If my story helps even one person believe that this path is possible for them, then it’s been worth it. Education is where change begins, and I’m proud to be part of that.”
Lotu is also a recipient of the Ministry of Education Kupe Scholarship, one of only 30 awarded nationwide, which was presented at Parliament by the Minister of Education.
Both graduates give credit to UC support services, including UC Māori, the Pacific Development Team, and the Academic Skills Centre.
