Gaynor Hakaria (Ngti Porou, Ngi Tahu) and Grant Hakaria (Ngti Kur蘋) dedicated themselves to shaping young minds in primary education classrooms for two decades, while also growing their whnau. The duo then decided to return to university to deepen their knowledge, and to better serve their communities.
With the future of their students in mind, they made arrangements for the transition to full time study. If it was to the detriment of my school, I wouldnt go back to study, says Grant.
I wanted to explore some new research and seek further qualifications so I could be a role model for not only my whnau but for all tamariki (children) to show that learning never stops, says Gaynor.泭
Gaynor, who graduated from the Teachers College (now Faculty of Education) in 1996 is graduating with a Masters of Haka Pounamu | Mori Bilingual and Immersion Teaching and Learning this autumn. Grant will join her on stage at this graduation, receiving his Master of Education.
Grant deferred his graduation last year so we could graduate together, says Gaynor. Its a big deal as my extended whnau are starting to further their studies in tertiary education.
I wanted our kids to see us walking across the stage, says Grant, hoping that their children and their students might be inspired by seeing them graduate and encouraged to pursue a degree themselves.
Gaynor says one of her papers, , has helped her understand the issues Pasifika communities are facing. Having a large Pasifika community at Te Waka Unua School where the couple is teaching, they are more enabled to support others to lead positive change together with colleagues.
As experienced kaiako (teachers) in bilingual Mori education, they are committed to supporting the kaiako, tamariki and community of their Samoan bilingual programme, Tavae, to thrive.
Their teaching background gives them both valuable skills. Thats where we see our purpose, says Gaynor. We can help our whnau anywhere along their journey of identity, culture and language.
That was not always the case, and Gaynor says it wasnt until they had a mind shift and committed to the Ngi Tahu strategy called Kotahi Mano Kika, which supports and promotes the growth of Ngi Tahu identity and te reo i te kinga (language in the home), that they started speaking more te reo Mori at home.
We see how beneficial it is and how it has benefited our kids, whnau, friends and their kids, says Grant. Because we experienced it ourselves, its our passion to nurture this within others and we hope they will also have an epiphany and speak their language more.
Their passion filters through their own family, with one of their children Suayd Hakaria being part of the UC Mori team that is supporting konga (students) Mori. I even went to his office sometimes to ask for help, so to go to uni and have my son advise me was pretty cool, Grant says.
There was lots of support on offer, its just about reaching out, adds Gaynor.泭
Read more of our graduate success stories泭here.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 - Quality education.
