Massey whānau to celebrate Māori academic success

Whānau and friends, University staff and council members will celebrate the achievements of 52 new Māori graduates tomorrow, marking the end of graduation week in Manawatu. Diplomas, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees have been awarded across the University’s colleges of business, humanities and social sciences and sciences during the week to more than 130 Māori students.

Highlights of the week have included the presentation of an honorary Doctor of Literature degree – the University’s highest honour – to former Chief of Defence Forces and Governor-General Designate Jeremiah (Jerry) Mateparae (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu) this morning. Four doctoral graduates – Dr Laura Howard, Dr Meihana Durie, Dr Isaac Warbrick and University staff member Dr Spencer Lilley – have also crossed the stage of the Regent on Broadway Theatre in Palmerston North.

Dr Durie (Rangitāne ki Manawatu, Ngāti Raukawa ki Horowhenua, Ngāti Porou) is the son of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Mason Durie and Arohia, Lady Durie, a former Massey professor, and the first of their four children to complete a PhD. He was the recipient of the Peter Snell Doctoral Scholarship and his thesis looked at increasing Māori success in education and support by drawing on Māori values, cultural worldviews and customs. His research included consultation with tribal experts, in-depth observations of cultural applications in modern times and three case studies involving tertiary education within a Māori context. He is the director of the Oranga Studies Faculty at Te Wānanga o Raukawa in Otaki.

Dr Howard (nee Buckley), a Doctor of Clinical Psychology from Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Whānaunga and Tainui, received support from several organisations to complete her studies, including a Te Rau Puawai Scholarship, Ngā Pae o Te Māramatanga Doctoral Scholarship, Hauraki Māori Trust Board Education Grant, Māori Education Trust Postgraduate Scholarship and a Pūrehuroa Award. Her doctoral thesis was entitled Emotional intervention for children with developmental disability and challenging behaviour. Her research explored the use of a behavioural and emotional intervention to reduce challenging and enhance positive behaviours in children with developmental disabilities. She is a clinical psychologist at Palmerston North Hospital.

Dr Warbrick (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāpuhi) received a Health Research Council Doctoral Fellowship in Māori Health and Pūrehuroa Award during his doctoral study. His research focused on the role that physical fitness and body composition play in the development of insulin resistance within Māori. Dr Warbrick showed that in Māori physical fitness and the degree of body fat are related ton insulin sensitivity’ the precursor to type 2 diabetes. He also showed that maintenance of muscle mass may reduce the detrimental effects upon insulin sensitivity and diabetes risk that is associated with an age related reduction in aerobic fitness. These findings provide insight into more specific exercise prescription for Māori. He is head lecturer at Kawa Oranga at Te Wānanga o Raukawa.

Dr Lilley (Te Āti Awa, Muaūpoko) completed PhD in Education. His thesis was entitled The information seeking behaviour of Māori secondary school students. Dr Lilley has established that school, social situation and cultural settings, each with their distinct zones, were places where Māori students congregate to obtain and exchange information. He found that those students who have a strong sense of cultural identity experience fewer barriers when seeking information in either of the two cultural worlds they belong to.

First cousins Amokura Tapiata and Anthony Walsh became the third generation of their families to receive Massey degrees. Ms Tapiata (Ngā Rāuru, Ngāti Raukawa ki Horowhenua, Ngāti Pikiao, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Porou) was supported by a Highbury Community Scholarship, a Paraninihi ki Waitötara Trust Scholarship, and a Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui Trust Undergraduate Education Grant, graduated with a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise. Mr Walsh (Ngā Rāuru, Ngāti Raukawa ki Horowhenua, Te Āti Haunui-ā-Pāpārangi, Te Āti Awa) with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Horticulture.

The ceremony to honour Māori graduates begins at 9.30am at the Regent Theatre on Broadway Ave, Palmerston North, and is expected to finish about 1pm with a parade to the Square.