Most professional career pathways want people to have had some exposure to Te Ao MÄori, and Aotahi is the place to get that experience, insight and add a star to your CV.
Our students share their experiences studying at Aotahi:
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Jessica Templeton, 25, NgÄti Whawhakia, NgÄti te Wehi, NgÄti Punjabi and NgÄti PÄkehÄ 2nd year PhD in MÄori Entrepreneurship
In a relatively short space of time Jessica has already accumulated an impressive academic background and an equally remarkable work history. Growing up in Waikato, Jessica’s decision to study at the ÃÛÌÒ¶ùÖ±²¥ was what prompted her move down south to Te Waipounamu. Jessica finished her Bachelor of Science and jumped straight into an internship with Christchurch based company Talbot Technologies. Getting her Master’s in engineering brought Jessica back to university before her graduate position at Shell in Taranaki.
Jessica wasn’t done with studying just yet. At the end of 2013 she returned to Canterbury to start her PhD in MÄori Entrepreneurship.With her expansive work and study history, Jessica was an ideal candidate for a MÄui Lab internship. She partnered with Aotahi and Te PÅ«tahitanga to review their enterprise coaching programme and says that being mentored by Aotahi was incredible learning experience.
"The Maui lab changed my perspective on what makes a good consultant. Seeing how I was able to help people, build connections and actually guide clients through that consultancy relationship, that's what I now look forward to doing."
The intercultural relationships that Jessica was able to establish through partnering with Aotahi have bloomed into further consulting work. Jessica spent the summer with UC Centre for Entrepreneurship. Support acquired from the team there helped guide the strategy and direction of the Yoga in Schools upstart; the innovative Te Reo MÄori Yoga business founded by Letesha Hallett. Her new communication skills and consulting experience have made her just as sought after by MÄori organisations as she was by other companies prior to the MÄui Lab. Jessica says that being exposed to the needs of the MÄori community gave her an entirely new context that was lacking in her educational and professional experience. "I felt like I learnt more about working with MÄori during my time with Maui lab than I did in my entire undergrad."
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Madi Williams, 21, NgÄti Kuia and NgÄti KÅata, NgÄti Apa ki te RÄ TÅ, Honours
Staying close to whÄnau made the ÃÛÌÒ¶ùÖ±²¥ an easy choice for Madi Williams. Now in her fourth year and working on her Honours, it is Madi’s relationship with Aotahi that has played a large role in her continued studies. Madi has partnered with Aotahi and the MÄui lab on two consulting projects to date. Her first project was planning a transitional pathway for women coming out of prison. Madi says the work was hands-on, intense and showed how her academic skills like researching could be valuable in a job.
"I really enjoyed the work experience and getting to apply the skills I'd developed over the course of my degree, because a lot of people think that's something you can't do with a B.A."
Madi has also partnered with Aotahi on a project creating Indigenous leadership models for the NgÄi Tahu tribal wÄnanga. As a recipient of the NgÄi Tahu Research centre undergraduate scholarship, the John Connal Scholarship, the Neville Phillips History Prize, Arts Scholars Scholarship, and the NgÄi Tahu Postgraduate Fees Scholarship, it should come as no surprise that Madi’s research skills once again made an impact.
Madi is confident she can take the leap into further postgraduate studies, especially now she has started an academic portfolio, developed a great relationship with Aotahi and gained real experience working for a MÄori organisation. Most of all, Madi is reassured by the fact that her work for Aotahi and the MÄui lab has made a tangible difference.
"Nothing has been done like my project in all of New ÃÛÌÒ¶ùÖ±²¥ so I think that work exemplified the MÄui school of thought and its approach to innovating research."
Diverse and growing sector
The MÄori sector is now valued at $40 billion, with a rapid growth trajectory and increasing prominence. It is also a diverse sector, spanning private business, tribal organisations, MÄori land incorporations and a raft of ‘third sector’ spheres including health, education, social services and the like. Studying at Aotahi will make you attractive to this growing sector.
Central and local government organisations also have a number of roles that are dedicated to working with MÄori communities and/or addressing MÄori interests within their area of responsibility. These roles can be as policy analysts, relationship brokers and beyond.
Most professional services companies, such as lawyers, accountants, engineers and the like are building their internal capability to engage with the MÄori sector. Studying with Aotahi will make you more attractive to all of these potential employers.
Te reo MÄori and MÄori and Indigenous Studies are also highly valued in a number of sectors, including:
- Government
- Professional services, including the legal profession and management consulting
- Education
- Criminal justice
- Health
- Public policy
- Social services
Studying with Aotahi can help you forge your career pathway and through our internships and other opportunities, we will also help you build relationships with potential employers while you study.
