Te Ama

Te Ama is the name of the committee of faculty deans and service directors, and it refers to 'the outrigger of a canoe'.

Te Ama helps with guidance and navigation but, more importantly, provides balance. While Te Hiwa does the steering of the waka, the outrigger provides the stability.

“While Te Hiwa might be doing the main steering of the waka, we rely heavily on Te Ama’s leadership in the University,” says Professor Rawinia Higgins. “It’s on brand with Te Herenga Waka, but it incorporates that distinct role that leadership team plays, and how they need to work together.

“You have to have both of them to smooth the journey and make it safe. In terms of how the two interact, they provide stability to the vehicle itself. If you don’t have an outrigger or a steering paddle, your waka is unstable. You’re vulnerable to the environment, to the weather and the waves. Te Hiwa and Te Ama help you cope in difficult situations, keep the boat stable, and moving in the direction that you want.”

Sometimes Professor Rawinia Higgins and Dr Meegan Hall gift a specific reo Māori name to a department or system when requested, and sometimes they will offer a choice between two or three names. In the case of Te Ama, the committee was given options and chose that one. While giving a choice can mean more work for Professor Higgins and Dr Hall, they say it also helps with engagement in the process and helps the recipients to take ownership of the new name.

Here is a list of some of the approved University names and places in te reo Māori, and some further resources you may like to incorporate into your everyday use at the University.