Te Kawa a Māui School of Māori Studies

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Teripowai Higgins

Teripowai Higgins profile picture photograph

Iwi

Tūhoe

Qualifications

DipMāori VUW, Justice of the Peace, QSM

Profile

Te Ripowai Higgins has taught and served students, staff and visitors of Victoria for 20 years. She began working as a Lecturer in the Social Work programme. Her knowledge and skill in te reo, tikanga and te ao Māori were quickly recognised and she was offered a lectureship in Te Kawa a Māui - School of Māori Studies. She was promoted to Senior Lecturer and held the position of Head of School for two terms.

During this time Te Ripowai also took up and continues to perform the role of Ruahine, the female leader of Te Herenga Waka Marae. As Ruahine, she ensures that the tikanga and the mauri of the marae are upheld. She enjoys and willingly shares her knowledge with students and staff at Victoria. She is in her element when hosting national and international visitors at the marae.

Te Ripowai has organised Te Hui Whakapūmau, the Māori Graduation Ceremony, for many years. These ceremonies are considered a highlight in the Marae calendar, and thousands of graduands have been able to celebrate their academic achievement with whānau, hapū, iwi and Te Whānau o Te Herenga Waka Marae. Te Ripowai currently holds the position of Taurima - Marae Manager of Te Herenga Waka Marae at Victoria.

Current Research Projects

  • Advisory panel for the URF funded project on ‘The Impact of Te Herenga Waka Marae at Victoria University of Wellington.’
  • Te Ahupungao (Māori Physics) Research Project.
  • Advisory panel for the Māori Legal Project.

Research Interests

  • Te reo me ngā tikanga Māori
  • Tūhoe history and traditions
  • Māori broadcasting.

Selected Publications

  • Lukefahr H G, Mercier O R, Hannah J H, Higgins T R P, Richardson L, Cooper T T, (Filming, Voice Recording, Scripting, Editing, Sound Production), Te Reo Māori Physics, New Zealand Physics Teachers' Resource Bank (Faculty of Science (Equity), Wellington, MacDiamid Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, October, 2006. http://www.tereophysics.school.nz.
  • Mercier O R, Lukefahr H G, Higgins T R P, Hannah J H, Richardson L, Cooper T T, (Filming, Voice Recording, Scripting, Editing, Sound Production), Te Reo Māori Physics Project, New Zealand Physics Teachers' Resource Bank (Faculty of Science (Equity), Wellington, MacDiamid Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, September, 2008. http://www.tereophysics.school.nz.
  • Stephens M M H, Higgins T R P, Becoming a participant: mature Maori experiences in tertiary education in Living and learning: experiences of university after age 40, edited by Judith A. Davey, Jenny Neale and Kay Morris Matthews, Wellington, Victoria University Press, 2003, pp. 61-75.

Networks and Responsibilities

  • Board Member, appointed by the Minister of Māori Affairs, Hon. Dr Pita Sharples, to Te Māngai Pāho Māori Broadcasting Funding Agency
  • Foundation and Board Member, Te Ataarangi Incorporated Society
  • Foundation and Board Member, Te Ipukarea National Māori Language Institute.