9 Hūrae 2026

NGAHUIA TE ATA WILSON 

Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Whatua, Ngāpuhi 

Graduate, Heke Rongoā - Diploma in Māori Holistic Wellbeing, and Heke Toi Whakarākai 

Kaiwhakahaere, Heke Rongoā 

Ngahuia is the youngest of four daughters.  She grew up in Ōtaki Immersed in te ao Māori. She attended Te Kōhanga Reo o Raukawa, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rito, Te Wharekura o Te Rito, and then in 2004 studied the Heke Toi Whakarākai programme at Te Wānanga o Raukawa and graduated the same year. 

Australia was home for a little while and then Ngahuia returned to Ōtaki where she met her partner. They are raising two beautiful daughters, Kareariki and Atiria who are 15 and 12 years respectively and are students at Te Kāreti o Ōtaki. 

Working at Te Wānanga o Raukawa for about five years, Ngahuia is new to her current position of kaiwhakahaere for the Heke Rongoā programme. She has felt very welcomed in this new role. The team around her have been encouraging and helpful. As Ngahuia says, “It’s been pretty cool.”  In her role she works closely with both sudents and pūkenga (tutors) helping guide students through the programme. Students take part in four noho each year, with three being face to face and one noho held online, along with two hui rumaki reo and digital learning. One exciting outcome for graduates is that they can go on and seek accreditation from ACC to be rongoā practitioners.   

Being a graduate of the programme has given Ngahuia an advantage. Of course, there have been a few bumps along the way. For example, navigating Mūrau, the student learning platform, so that she can better help students to navigate it, and using Microsoft Teams. However, it has been great for improved communications. 

There’s a lot going on in Ngahuia’s life. Her whānau are a priority, and now and again she gives a helping hand at her marae (Katihiku and Raukawa), she works fulltime, is studying and finishing a korowai, and running her tamariki around to their activities. Her eldest daughter has a passion for music and performs in a band who have taken to the stage at “Rock Quest” and other gigs. Her youngest daughter stays close to mum. 

Continuing with studies this year, Ngahuia has enrolled into year two of the Poutuarongo Whare Pora (formerly Poutuarongo Toi Whakarākai). She is loving her studies and the outlet it’s provided for her creative skills. A personal goal for Ngahuia is to graduate with a degree in the Poutuarongo Whare Pora – Bachelor of Design and Art (Weaving). She is hoping to achieve this by the end of 2028. She feels that the opportunity she has had to work and study at the same time has been awesome, and she has a deep sense of gratitude for being able to do this. It isn’t always easy, but she is up for the challenge. 

“He moana pukepuke e ekengia e te waka” 

(A choppy sea can be navigated by canoe – meaning that while the journey ahead may be challenging, obstacles can be overcome and new journeys can begin)

If you would like to know more about our programmes, visit our website Te Wānanga o Raukawa