Te Wānanga o Raukawa welcomed prospective students and whānau to its Rā Whakauru enrolment day held on Saturday 29 November, with visitors travelling from Wellington, Dannevirke, and as far as Papamoa to explore their study options for 2026.

For many attendees, the day offered something far more meaningful than enrolment support; it was a day of settling wairua. Several arrived carrying nervousness, whakamā, or disconnection from te ao Māori, from their marae, or from their cultural identity. Through manaaki, grounded kōrero, and patient guidance from kaimahi, many were able to voice their questions, confront their anxieties, and find the confidence to complete their enrolment.

A Story of Connection: Maraea Oxley’s Journey Back

One of the day’s most uplifting moments came from Maraea Oxley, who completed Poupou Huia Te Reo in 2021. Earlier this year, she discovered that her neighbour Lynley, a Pākehā woman who lived a few houses down had already enrolled for 2026 to study te reo Māori online through Te Wānanga o Raukawa.

Until then, the only thing they truly had in common was that they both owned dogs. But during a friendly chat, Lynley mentioned where she had enrolled. Maraea realised it was the very same programme she had graduated from in 2021; a discovery that sparked an unexpected moment of inspiration and friendly rivalry.

Encouraged by her neighbour’s enthusiasm, Maraea decided to continue her reo journey and enrolled in Poupou Huia Te Reo 2 – Te Hōkairangi.

When she saw Rā Whakauru advertised online, she and her husband travelled to Ōtaki to attend in person.

“My husband was just going to drop me off, but he felt so welcomed and included that he stayed for the entire time,” she says.

She left with renewed confidence, information to take home; including material to share with her neighbour and a growing curiosity about what else she may study at Te Wānanga o Raukawa in the future.

Her story reflects the power of te reo Māori to bridge cultures, form new relationships, and bring communities closer together, one learner at a time.

A group of wāhine Māori from a Hauora Māori organisation in Dannevirke also attended the event, eager to learn more about the reo Māori programmes on offer. They were excited to discover that all diploma-level and above qualifications at Te Wānanga o Raukawa include te reo Māori as a compulsory component.

Congratulations to Imogen Tapapa, winner of the Rā Whakauru enrolment day competition. Imogen has enrolled in Poutāhū Whakahaere, Postgraduate Diploma in Māori and Management for 2026.

The event also showcased the richness of mātauranga toi. The carving team set up outside, demonstrating the whakapapa and stories embedded in their mahi, while the weavers opened their space indoors for visitors to experience the beauty and depth of raranga firsthand. The live demonstrations offered an inspiring glimpse into the cultural knowledge woven throughout the Wānanga’s programmes.

Rā Whakauru 2025 was more than an enrolment day; it was a space of belonging, manaaki and reconnection. Attendees left feeling uplifted, informed, and ready to step into their learning journeys for themselves, their whānau, hapū and iwi.

Te Wānanga o Raukawa remains committed to supporting our people to stand in their rangatiratanga, reclaim their identity, and ensure our mokopuna remain proudly and confidently Māori.

ENDS