We are an education organisation that prioritises opportunities for enabling Māori and Pacific student success in all our professional development programmes.
The dedicated Māori and Pacific support team are available to guide your waka throughout your academic journey as you steer your way to success.
STUDENT SUPPORT
Māori & Pacific support
WELCOME!
Nau mai! Afio mai!
Our learning environments are inclusive and uphold our core mātou mātāpono (values). We encourage you to bring your whole self to your studies – your culture, whānau, language, experiences, and unique world perspective. It’s important to us to celebrate and uplift every learner, and we believe learning is a two-way street – we learn from you as much as you learn from us (ako).
You can submit your work in te reo Māori, connect and support each other in Gagana Sāmoa, or chat with other Māori and Pacific learners to share and support each other through the journey.
Below, you’ll find details about our academyEX Māori and Pacific support team, initiatives you can join during your studies, and scholarships or funding opportunities to help you along the way.
MANAAKIFONO
Your space for support and connection
ManaakiFono is here to support Māori and Pacific students with academic, cultural, and personal guidance. ‘Manaaki’ meaning to care and support (one of our organisational values); and ‘Fono’ meaning to meet. Our kaupapa is guided by whakawhanaungatanga and the Talanoa model, which establishes meaningful connection through conversation in order to address deeper, sometimes difficult topics.
Strengthen relationships
The purpose of these sessions is to ‘teu le vā’, close the gaps, strengthen the relationships, build connections and provide space for conversation and collaboration.
Online kōrero
Connect and support each other with regular drop-in Zoom sessions and a Slack channel where Māori and Pacific students can pop in and kōrero with staff about ‘what’s on top’ for you with your learning.
Peer support
Connect with other students, building tuakana-teina (peer support) relationships to help each other succeed. Your programme team will share the details of your ManaakiFono sessions when you start your course.
Academic & pastoral care
Whether you need help with assessments, writing, or just want to talk about how things are going, we’re here for you. To learn more about how we support our Māori and Pacific students, please get in touch.
MAKING LEARNING ACCESSIBLE
Scholarships for Māori and Pacific students
Māori and Pacific learners are two of the most underrepresented demographic groups in postgraduate education in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our Tangata Whenua and Pacific Ako scholarships aim to reduce the financial barrier to extending knowledge and opening up new career, community and personal opportunities.
50% of tuition fees covered for any of our Master’s programmes
Tangata Whenua scholarship: for those who identify as Māori learners
Pacific Ako scholarship: for those who identify as Pacific learners
First, apply for your Master’s programme, then submit a scholarship application for the relevant scholarship.
