David Hakaraia is completing a Master of Design degree. He has been a member of Āwhina Whānau for the past decade. Āwhina is about people and collective success. Its kaupapa is to produce Māori and Pacific science, engineering, architecture and design professionals who will go on to contribute to the development of their communities. Some of this work includes outreach programmes where students and staff of Āwhina go out to schools and communities to educate whānau and rangatahi about tertiary education in the four Āwhina disciplines.

David’s Masters’ degree is focused on contemporary ways to express Māori narratives. He has also received a Creative New Zealand Grant in 2008 along with two other Victoria alumni and is working on exhibition pieces.