I am now in my 2nd year at Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou, where I continue to work towards a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts majoring in Māori Studies. Through my educational journey I have been part of the university’s Māori Centre initiative, Kā Rikarika a Tāne (KRAT), where I am a mentor who helps first year Māori students. I am also part of the university’s Aspire Program which gives the younger generation a broad insight into university subjects and the diverse culture within. As I give back to our Māori community, I am also working on self-development through Māori culture and knowledge. Through the university’s Leadership Award, I can look towards becoming fluent in Te Reo Māori with the idea of connection and belonging in mind. The Leadership Award allows me to continue my education through a Māori lens and how Te Reo can help me become a strong leader at university and further in life.
Kia mau ki tō Māoritanga Hold fast to your Māori heritage. Tēnā koutou, Ko Destiny Tupara toku ingoa. I was born and raised in Levin but always grew up hearing stories from my mum about life in Whakatāne and her strong cultural identity with Ngāti Awa. This led me on a path seeking cultural connection with my Iwi affiliations, a strong need to help our Māori community and to learn our language.
I aim to complete my studies end of 2024. In the future, I plan to apply my knowledge of law and implement
legal frameworks to help people, particularly Māori and Pasifika. I want to work towards ending systemic disparities between Māori and non-Māori in Aotearoa, as we continue to face the most injustices. As a proud descendant from Ngāti Awa and my further Iwi, I want to make connective contributions where I can provide legal services or be part of the economic or social development of my Iwi. I would like to acknowledge Ngāti Awa for pursuing a nurturing and prosperous path for our Māori community. I commend the cultural strategy as I plan to increase mine, my family’s and friends Te Reo Māori fluency. I would also like to thank Ngāti Awa for supporting my tertiary studies. This scholarship has contributed to my success and has lessened my financial burden with tuition fees for my papers. I am grateful for your support and I appreciate Ngāti Awa continuing to support our rangatahi. Nāku, noa, nā Destiny Tupara Law Scholarship
Other
Warahoe
Te Patuwai
Te Pahipoto Te Kahupaake
Ngāti Wharepaia
Ngāti Rangataua
Ngāti Pukeko Ngāti Maumoana
Ngāti Hokopu ki Te Whare o Toroa
Ngāti Hokopu ki Te Hokowhitu a Tu
Ngāti Hamua
Ngāti Awa ki Tamaki Makaurau
3
Ngai Te Rangihouhiri II
6
Ngai Tamapare
9
Nga Maihi
12
Ngai Tamaoki
15
Ngai Taiwhakaea II
E D UCATIO N APPLI CATI ON S RE C E I V E D BY H AP Ū
0
TE RŪNANGA O NGĀTI AWA | 2021 Annual Report
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