Top Eke Panuku Māori awards for Trades, Te Reo and Osteo ākonga

The annual Eke Panuku Awards are a time for true stories of transformational change to be shared at a gathering of ākonga, kaimahi, whānau and community.

The 2023 event was testament to the Ara | Te Pūkenga Framework for Māori Achievement which seeks to deliver positive experiences through kaupapa and mātauranga Māori and inspire more Māori to come, stay and succeed at Ara. Ākonga from across Ara campuses were celebrated for their achievements and thier determination to help others achieve too.

The experience of three learners from among the almost 40 selected for recognition were worthy of the ultimate Te Hokinga, Transformation Award. These awards derive from the vision of ‘whānau transformation through education’ as first expressed by the late Te Rereamoamo Monte Ohia who was Te Pou Matua - Kaiārahi at Christchurch Polytechnic from 2005 to 2008.

The criteria for the award take into consideration education, agency, enterprise and transformation and each of the ākonga recognised brought their own stories of determination, growth and drive to contribute to the success of others.

_{Te Hokinga, Transformation Award winner Archie Trimmer congratulated by Glynnis Brook and Stanley Tawa}

Archie Trimmer (Ngāti Paoa) was thrilled to receive the award as he gears up to complete his Postgraduate Diploma in Osteopathy in 2024. His nomination noted him to be ‘an outstanding young man’ who’d left his whenua and whānau on Waiheke Island at the age of 17 to embark on his study at Ara. After facing academic challenges in his demanding first year of study, he engaged Learning Support, and was now an A-level student contributing to the Tuakana-Teina programme himself by mentoring others. Trimmer is on track to be one of the youngest qualified Māori osteopaths in Aotearoa.

“To work hard toward something and for it be recognised is really cool,” he said. “There have been lots of learnings, since coming here young, moving away from home and not having much education before I started. I’m grateful to Learning Support and it’s good to give back to the different year groups and others coming through,” he said.

_{Te Hokinga, Transformation Award winner Ruby-Isabella Reedy-Land congratulated by Glynnis Brook and Stanley Tawa}

Recipient Ruby-Isabella Reedy-Land (Ngāti Porou) was praised at the event for her research and promotion of critical issues related to social justice, equity, sustainability and indigenous leadership. The Te Pokaitahi Reo Te Kaupae 4 ākonga’s citation noted her commitment to contributing to the learning and growth of others, be it her classmates, whānau or the broader community.

“It’s a pinch me moment but it’s nice moment with my whānau here including my youngest sister,” Reedy-Land said. “Growing up I didn’t really acknowledge so much that I was Māori. ‘High school me’ would be amazed. I’m proud of not only myself but also my whānau who have come here today to be in the presence of te ao Māori and reconnect back to our Māoritanga.”

_{Te Hokinga, Transformation Award winner Tavalea Eade congratulated by Glynnis Brook and Stanley Tawa}

Tavalea Eade (Ngāi Tahu) had her own story of transformation, excelling in her New Zealand Certificate in Construction Level 3 this year and gaining a painting apprenticeship through the quality of her work. Motivated and determined, her Te Hokinga Transformation Award also recognised her path to overcoming low confidence, win the respect of her peers and step into leadership roles.

“I just decided that I was going to turn my life around after being kicked out of school. I also just wanted to show a good example to my nieces and friends,” Eade said, adding that the group on the course worked well together. “It was a great class, the tutor was good, and we just worked hard to get all the projects done. It took a year but now we’re all working full time.”

Three ākonga with their own stories, milestones and future goals brought together in an impressive whānau-embracing event filled with pride and celebration.