Student stories
It’s a big decision to go to university. Learn what it’s really like to be Māori at Victoria University of Wellington, from current students who’ve done it.
Kayla Polamalu
A yearning to tackle the big questions in life is the main reason Kayla Polamalu wanted to go to university.
Kahu Haimona
When Kahu was at primary school, her teacher asked her to write about what she wanted to be when she grew up. Without thinking twice, Kahu wrote down ‘lawyer’.
Jahmayne Robin-Middleton
Finding ways to incorporate tikanga Māori into his architectural designs has been a way for Jahmayne to combine two things that are important to him.
Vincent (Vini) Olsen-Reeder
Learning te reo wasn’t always part of Vini’s master plan, so when it came to choosing his tertiary path, Māori Studies happened by chance.
Ani Eparaima
“Open your mind to the possibilities,” she says. “Ma te mohio, ka mohio.”
Brian Tunui
Brian Tunui readily admits his motivation for study second time around is different.
Nadia Te Huia
Opening doors for her son and her children to come is what led Nadia Te Huia to knock at the University’s door.
Pouaka Te Pirihi Parore
“I knew that tertiary education could give me this key so I wanted to pursue it.”