STUDENT FOCUS

Ngāti Ranginui, Te Arawa. Kaikōkiri Ratonga Māori, Senior Library Assistant – Māori Services, Glen Innes Library.

I am a 51 year old mother of one beautiful and loving 16 year-old-girl. I am of Māori and German descent, and I grew up in Point England, Auckland. It was always my goal to educate myself and bring the knowledge back to my community in the hopes of inspiring the next generation – showing them it is possible to raise yourself up out of poverty. My family was not impoverished but we were still working class and money was tight. In my childhood I witnessed suffering and destitution which haunts me. I still see it now and I am compelled to try to help our children to see that a different path is possible. Q

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LIBRARY JOURNEY UP

A

UNTIL THIS POINT?

By the time I was nine-yearsold, I had read the entire school library. It was quite small. Next, I turned my attention to the books my elder siblings were reading: The Godfather, and books by the likes of Jackie Collins, Jacqueline Susan, and Robert Ludlum. One of my brothers was an avid graphic novel enthusiast and this lead to me reading The Phantom, The Hulk, and Creepy

which gave me nightmares. I didn’t read because I wanted to – I read because I had to. My favourite book was and still is the dictionary, as it is an endless source of new information. I love that. At 10, I discovered the public library and my mind was blown by the potential for more reading. I thought it was paradise and I wondered how I could live there. I never intended to be a librarian. My tertiary studies were BA English and BSC Physics. But, I see how it suits my love of reading, learning and literature. I moved into libraries after my local librarian suggested I apply for a job there (seeing as I was there so often), and I have been here for eight years now.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN STUDYING AND WHAT QUALIFICATION ARE YOU CURRENTLY STUDYING TOWARDS?

I am about to begin my third year of study towards a degree in Māori Information Management – Poutuarongo Puna Maumahara through Te Wānanga O Raukawa.

CAN YOU TELL OUR READERS ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THIS PROGRAMME AND ITS BENEFITS TO LIBRARIANSHIP?

My journey with Te Wānanga O Raukawa has been life-changing. The degree contains elements of kaupapa Māori that form my very identity, and it is knowledge that has been denied to me thus far. It is one of the consequences of our colonial past and present. There was only one avenue as far as I was concerned, and I leapt at the opportunity.

For me, most of this study is done extramurally and twice a year we spend a week in Ōtaki (noho) to attend Hui Rumaki Reo with the rest of the student body. Hui Rumaki Reo is full immersion Māori, which means we can only speak te Reo Māori while we are there. We integrate with

other tauira to learn and practice Māori values through waiata, karakia, and moteatea. We eat together with the pūkenga, plus there are nightly activities in the Wharenui that foster Māori values and promote tīkanga. It is an incredible atmosphere, and the feeling that whanaungatanga creates, is truly unique.

To be amongst Māori, in a Māori setting, attending to kaupapa Māori, is dreamlike, and it is a considerable struggle to leave such a place. It must be experienced to be believed, and I feel fortunate to have done so. It is very different from my traditional tertiary experiences at Auckland University. The mana whenua and the rohe itself, adds to the inspirational atmosphere, while the kaupapa feeds the weary soul. By embracing Te Ao Māori, I am experiencing a definite shift towards decolonisation.

The benefits of understanding who you are and where you came from, are myriad. This is true for anyone. Every day I use this awareness plus the taonga tuku iho/ matauranga/knowledge I have gained through Te Wānanga O Raukawa in my work at libraries.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO STUDY FOR A LIS QUALIFICATION?

In all honesty, it was the kaupapa Māori aspect of this degree that engaged my interest, and I am so pleased to have opted in.

HOW DO YOU JUGGLE STUDY AND WORK?

My work life balance is a tricky one, and I often bring work home. I think ‘juggling’ puts it mildly, and I would describe as ‘juggling while on a unicycle, on a tightrope, over the Grand Canyon.’ In other words, it is a delicate balance of little sleep, several frantic moments, and many deadlines. It is not easy, and it is worth it.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOUR JOB AT GLEN INNES LIBRARY INVOLVES?

My role is Māori Specialist, and it is a senior position. I take care of the Māori Collection, and outreach to local early childhood education centres, where I deliver Māori-themed programmes. I liaise with other local community groups to create and deliver new services, and I serve the public.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING STUDY AT TE WĀNANGA O RAUKAWA?

Do it! The campus itself, is a place of beauty and wonder, and the support network is just amazing.