Māori Students
We are pleased to support and welcome you. Through academic guidance, wellbeing services, scholarships, and opportunities to connect with te ao Māori (the Māori world), our team is here to help you feel connected throughout your studies. Welcome.
Meet your Akonga Māori Navigator
Whether you're looking to connect, reconnect, or stay connected to your culture and identity, I'll meet you where you are and walk alongside you. My approach is holistic and centred on you as an individual, recognising that success is about more than academic achievement. It also includes your identity, wellbeing, whānau, and sense of belonging.
My hope is that your time at SIT is one of growth, connection, and success, and I look forward to meeting you. It is a privilege to walk alongside our Māori ākonga throughout their study journey.
Te Aroha Heke, Ākonga Māori Navigator
Tuākana–tēina
Available to on campus ākonga, grounded in the principles of tuākana–tēina, whanaungatanga, and ako, this service connects Māori with peer mentors who can offer encouragement, guidance, and support as you navigate your studies.
The tuākana–tēina coordinator for Māori is Te Aroha Heke
SIT Māori Tertiary Education Strategy
SIT and the Māori community have worked together over many years to build strong and meaningful relationships. These relationships led to the development of the SIT Māori Tertiary Education Strategy, which provides a framework for improving educational outcomes and opportunities for Māori learners.
The strategy aims to:
- Improve participation, retention, and achievement for Māori students
- Support successful pathways into further study, employment, and self-employment
- Strengthen partnerships with Māori communities and stakeholders
- Integrate innovative approaches that support future educational success
- Reflect SIT's commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- Ensure Māori students feel confident, supported, and valued throughout their studies
Through this strategy, SIT seeks to create an environment where Māori students can thrive academically while maintaining strong cultural connections and achieving their long-term aspirations.
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