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Scholarship helps drive to succeed
For Hinurewa Poutu, receiving an $8000 education scholarship from Te Āti Hau Trust during her PhD not only gave her financial assistance, but also provided her with the extra motivation to complete her studies.
“I felt assured my iwi were supporting my mahi, so throughout my whole journey I felt like I wasn’t alone,” says the 34-year-old, who was the first recipient of the scholarship named after former Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation chairman, Robin Murphy-Peehi.
“I also didn’t want to let my iwi down. They put their trust in me to complete my postgraduate studies. It can get really difficult when you’re in the depths of trying to figure out how to write and explain your kaupapa. There were moments when I thought ‘My iwi thinks I can do this’ and that motivated me to keep going.”
Born and raised in Palmerston North, Hinurewa (Ngāti Rangi, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Maniapoto) completed her Doctor of Philosophy in 2014 at Massey University. She explored the role of youth in Māori language revival, and the factors that influence the use of te reo Māori among those who’ve been educated in wharekura.
Her research included both interview and an online survey, with more than 500 participants in total from across the country.
“There are lots of extra costs, particularly when you are doing your PhD, not only the course fees but also the costs for research and travel. I was grateful for the support,” she says.
Even at a young age, Hinurewa was a high achiever. Her parents, Penny Poutu and Toni Waho (her father is from Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi) are second language speakers and vowed to learn te reo Māori because they wanted their children, Hinurewa and her younger brother Peehi, to speak the language.
Educated at Mana Tamariki, a total immersion kura in Palmerston North, Hinurewa has the distinction of being only one of two students to win both the senior Māori and the senior English sections at the prestigious Ngā Manu Kōrero speech competition, held in Ruatōria in 2000.
She followed in her parent’s footsteps and became a teacher and ended up teaching at the kura where she was raised.
After completing her PhD, Hinurewa lived in Saudi Arabia to teach at an international school for a year and the experience changed her life.
“I wanted to live somewhere that was very different from Aotearoa and from my previous experiences,” she says.
Hinurewa went from the Manawatū to living in Saudi Arabia. At that time, it was illegal for women to hold driver’s licenses and local women needed permission from male family members to leave the country.
“It made me appreciate the freedoms and privileges I have as a Māori woman. Saudi Arabia was, and still is, going through a significant period of change that is seeing a huge shift from its previously conservative stance”.
“I went with a very open mind and discovered that there were similarities to Māori culture. There are tribes over there; the people very much identify with their iwi. Spiritual practices were also important. Stores, malls and shopping centres would shut down during prayer time,” she says.
Before she left Aotearoa, Hinurewa was appointed to the board of the Māori Language Commission, but eventually had to forgo her position so she could live abroad. She’s currently on the board of directors for The Vodafone New Zealand Foundation.
Chair of Te Āti Hau Trust Keria Ponga says the Robin Murphy-Peehi Scholarship is awarded every two years, and that the Trust is proud to have had Hinurewa as its first recipient.
“Hinurewa stands out on a number of levels. She’s committed to kaupapa Māori, she’s invested in what’s happening amongst her iwi, and her appreciation for being selected as the first Trust recipient of the Robin Murphy-Peehi Scholarship was demonstrated when she returned to convey her gratitude to shareholders at the AGM,” says Keria.
Currently Hinurewa is putting her education career on hold as she has taken up the role of Kaikōkiri Reo at Māori Television. Based in Auckland, she’s been in the job since January.
“I’m responsible for writing the te reo Māori strategy, working to increase te reo within the organisation and in its content. This role aligns with my passion for our language,” she says. “It was time to step away from the classroom and move into a different area.”
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