Whakapapa the Only Benchmark for Māori Spaces

Māori spaces on our university campuses are vital. These spaces create a platform for students to keep in touch with their Māoritanga, gain access to specialised support services, and make connections with other Māori students from all over the motu. For many, this is right up their alley, a safe haven they can feel comfortable in. For others, these spaces bring up deep feelings of whakamā.

Speaking from personal experience, when I was on the Manawatῡ campus I never came close to going to the Manawatahi space. I went into my university experience with those common pre-conceived notions of what it meant to be ‘Māori’ enough in these spaces; knowing your reo, your whakapapa, your waiata, your tikanga. Because I grew up immersed in te ao Pākeha, the thought of being involved in Māori kaupapa was deeply overwhelming, like the two students I spoke to.

Other students I spoke to had similar experiences. Samantha, growing up in Southland like me, said there was a “lot of whakamā” around being Māori, due to the white-washed vibe that is Southland. Our Māoritanga down those ways is in DIRE need of TLC, whānau! Her upbringing resulted in Samantha feeling divided from other Māori at university, saying she felt isolated, that she didn’t have things in common with other students, and that she was “way behind” on her haerenga.

“I’ve been at uni for 2+ years and haven’t been very involved in our Māori spaces,” said Samantha. “I feel more nervous to join because I feel like I’ve left it too late.”

Melissa, a past student at the Manawatu campus, also did not grow up in te ao Māori, being bullied out of Māori spaces during her schooling years. Her degree in social work was the reason she became immersed in the Māori worldview. However, it wasn’t until her third year when an older classmate encouraged her to come along to Māori kaupapa on campus, which helped her immensely.

“I started university at 18, and what I would have found really useful when I started was an older person to guide me into that space,” she said. “Also, the knowledge that those spaces are there. In my opinion, the Manawatῡ campus is really apathetic, and there’s not a lot of brown faces around campus. It can lean towards being conservative and farmer-esque.”

To allow all Māori at any stage of their Māoritanga journey to feel welcome, we need to unlearn these stigmas. Over time, I’ve come to learn that it’s usually not Māori who are most judgmental; it’s actually usually Pākeha. But here’s that reminder we all know and love: as long as you whakapapa Māori, you are VALID, and you are whānau. If you are a Māori student who is whakamā about getting involved in these spaces, perhaps grab a friend to come along with you so it’s less overwhelming. Build up your own knowledge in your Māoritanga to feel that little bit more assured. Be willing to acknowledge that you don’t know what you don’t know and be open to learning from others. If you’re Māori, these spaces are for you! That’s the only criteria needed.

Glossary

Māoritanga = Māori culture, way of life

Motu = country

Whakamā = embarrassment

Reo = language

Whakapapa = genealogy

Waiata = songs

Tikanga = procedures/customs

Kaupapa = topic/subject

Haerenga = journey