Photograph of Ngawari Teriaki

Taken by Matariki Black

3 September 2026

Ngawari Teriaki

Ngāti Hauā 

Kaiako (Fulltime Reliever), Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rangi Āniwaniwa

Ākonga, Poutuarongo Whakaakoranga (EBITE)

Ngāwari grew up in the beautiful Waikato at Tauwhare a small village between Hamilton and Cambridge amongst her iwi of Ngāti Hauā. She has three older siblings. The whānau moved to Auckland where she describes her parents as being workaholics, working to make life more comfortable for the whānau. Consequently, she was left on her own a lot to navigate school and life. This is where she met her husband. He was a drainlayer and she would follow him to the different places where he secured work. She is now living with her tamariki in Te Tai Tokerau amongst Ngāi Takoto and the wider whānau of Muriwhenua. She was initially taken there by her husband, and she fell in love with its warmth and beauty. She has four wonderful tamariki, three daughters aged 14, 17 and 23 years, and a 21-year-old son. She has been a widow for 10 years now. There have been many challenges as a single mother, but in her words, “We’ve just chugged on with life.”

Currently Ngawari is a fulltime reliever, teaching the year sevens at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rangi Āniwaniwa. She is also a fulltime student at Te Wānanga o Raukawa. As a student, Ngawari is enjoying her time on campus. She feels that the campus has an amazing wairua Māori. She also feels that her fellow students add to the beautiful wairua. In her opinion, the time away from her tamariki and the great distance she travels to get to noho, the sacrifices made to study have all been worthwhile. Her tamariki ring her everyday while she is away from home, seeking the comfort that only mum can provide.

About 12 years ago, Ngawari undertook studies elsewhere but due to circumstances she didn’t complete. Towards the end of last year and with the encouragement of the kura leadership, she made the decision to return to studies. She decided on the EBITE programme because the responses from Te Wānanga o Raukawa to her queries were immediate. She was also looking forward to a new experience. 

Another reason for Ngawari taking up studies is that she wanted to be a role model for her tamariki, to show them that it is possible to obtain a qualification which is useful and meaningful particularly in their community. The completion of the tohu will have such a positive impact on their lives, with the achievement, the increase in salary and the changes these will bring.

As well as completing the Poutuarongo Whakaakoranga (EBITE), Ngawari is thinking about further studies. She feels that the pūkenga have provided her with amazing support, “They make success and achieving possible. I am in awe of the pūkenga and their level of knowledge. I feel privileged to learn from them.” She is also grateful for the scholarships she received and how they made it possible for her to undertake this study.

She regularly tells people, “Come to Raukawa. It’s neat. If you want to study, you should come to Raukawa.”

He iti mokoroa nānā i kakati te Kahikatea

Though the mokoroa grub is small, it can fell the mighty tree. This whakatauki encourages us that no matter our size, we can achieve our goals. With hardwork, success will follow. 

If you would like to know more about the Poutuarongo Whakaakoranga (EBITE) programme, visit Poutuarongo Whakaakoranga Bachelor of Teaching (Māori Medium) EBITE