Toitū te whenua, Toitū te tangata,
As the land endures, people flourish.
 

RANGIMATARAU – The day of a hundred faces 

Students identify themselves as one of the faces that arrives each day they engage with the Mt Albert Campus, but more so when they engage with the Marae such as orientation or when they use the spaces as their classroom.  They are the face at this place on this day. 

Rangimatarau also acknowledges there are a hundred faces that watch us from Heaven, let students know they are never alone.   Regardless where in the world students are from, they bring with them their ancestors and culture inclusive of customs, beliefs and spirituality.  Without those who have gone before them, our students will not be born to arrive.    

Te Waiunuroa o Wairaka – The long thirst of Wairaka

Is the Puna or stream that comes out of the ground behind the Hub, then runs through campus passing the Marae on its journey to the sea, from an educational perspective, acknowledges Learning is a Journey, and the thirst for knowledge is what brought our student to Unitec.  

This stream also reminds us as staff, to encourage our students to hydrate often.  Tertiary learning is a theoretical process that requires the assistance of our neurons, and water is a great conductor of electrical pulses.  It will keep our brain and our bodies working. 

Rangimarie – Peace 

Is the flax garden that sits between our three Whare and the Puna or stream that runs past the Marae, grows as a community of different varieties of flax, yet thrives together peacefully.   This flax garden acknowledges Unitec Institute of Technology as a community of various cultures thriving together.   If the learning journey for students is to be a peaceful one, they must engage with their tutors and support systems to ensure they understand the information received, and what is expected of them to ensure assignments and exams are completed in time. 

Puukenga – A vessel of knowledge 

The Eldest of the houses that sit at the Marae, acknowledges all students are vessels of knowledge that arrive already full, of culture, beliefs, spirituality, and all they know.   Their thirst for more knowledge has brought them to us for more learning and as staff, Puukenga reminds us of processes and procedures how to assist the expansion of these vessels of knowledge in a timely manner.

Manaaki - Duty of care 

Our Wharekai or dining room acknowledges safe place and space to reflect as your mind is being fed, so too must you eat to sustain the balance.   As staff, we are reminded that some students may be on medication that requires food, allows those students time to attend to their needs.    This space provides the freedom to chew things over, have hearty debates and challenge what they’re learning. Some may need encouragement, support, nurturing and nourishment inclusive of hydrating, this house reminds staff and students that learning comes in many ways and forms that reminds and encourages all to take care of themselves and each other.

Ngakau Mahaki – Humility, respect and compassion 

We are able to acknowledge and practice all of the above through being humble, respectful and by having compassion for all peoples.   This house is based on tikanga, structure and process such as Powhiri, a health and safety plan that ensures all are guided and held with respect to ensure a just and safe practice is applied without prejudice, but is informed from a Maori world view.  

These physical entities reside together providing a framework that our staff and students can relate to, that can guide our thinking through collaboration, association, cooperation, partnership, and teamwork providing a holistic lens that can be applied in practice every day.  Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae, a Framework of practice.