Diving into waves and rangahau (research) on State Highway 35.
Catching waves, and delving into rangahau on State Highway 35.
Pūtahi Manawa’s Māori Summer Research programme, Kura Raumati, began with a splash last month at Waiparapara Marae in Tokomaru Bay. 26 students, their supervisors, staff and whānau built relationships and upskilled whilst making connections with local health provider, Ngāti Porou Oranga, and researchers. Supervisors, alongside returning students, provided skills, experience, and support for the 20 new students, and everyone enjoyed waiata, healthy coastal kai, and swimming in the ocean.
Pūtahi Manawa Summer Research Programmes
The Summer Student Research Programmes provide opportunities for Māori and Pasifika students studying health at a tertiary level to participate in a research programme over the summer holidays. The students will be interested in developing their skills, knowledge, and networks and contributing to supporting our whānau, hapū, iwi, and Pasifika communities on their heart health journey. Soteria Ieremia, Pūtahi Manawa Pacific co-director, said, “We are excited about the legacy Kura Raumati and Fatu Malosi will bring to our Māori and Pasifika youth.”
Find out more about our 2024-5 Summer Research programmes.
2024-5 Welcome Wānanga
Not your typical summer research experience, the Pūtahi Manawa Māori summer research programme is grounded in te ao Māori with whakawhanaungatanga (relationship building) and a deep commitment to heart health equity at the core of our “business not as usual” approach.
Hau kainga (people of the marae), from local iwi Ngāti Porou, welcomed students, their whānau, and Kura Raumati staff to Waiparapara marae on Monday, 18th November, for a 5 day stay where students could connect, relax, upskill, and network with local health professionals, researchers, and the community. Pūtahi Manawa Pou Tikanga, Joe Pihema spoke on behalf of the students manuhiri (visitors). Not only was this a heart health equity research wānanga, but attendees walked the heart healthy talk beginning each day with korikori tinana (exercise) and preparing and sharing heart healthy kai.
Students attended the Ngāti Porou Oranga research symposium on Wednesday, 20th November, at Pākirikiri marae, just an easy walk away from Waiparapara marae. It was an incredible opportunity for Pūtahi Manawa students to connect with other researchers and learn about the latest findings that impact the health and well-being of their hosts, te iwi Ngāti Porou. Dr Anna Rolleston, Pūtahi Manawa’s first Māori co-director, presented the achievements and work of the Pūtahi Manawa Integrated Research Module, Te Ara Poutama.
Returning summer research students provided a tuakana (older sibling) role for this year's new cohort. Kura Raumati co-lead Erina Korohina observed, “Our Kura Raumati tauira from last year, who came to tautoko (support), were such an inspiration for those beginning their internship this year.”
Students rapidly bonded over the first few days. They gained permission from hau kainga to welcome their supervisors on arrival at the marae on day four with a whakatau (welcome/introduction ceremony). Kura Raumati co-lead’s Anuj Bhargava and Erina Korohina said the growth of the connection between the students from day one to day four was incredible. Erina said, “The cohesion of the students just blew me away.”
Students spent time with their supervisors and in wānanga sessions with Dr Jamie-Lee Rahiri and Dr Naomi Manu. Dr Manu spoke about Māori Data Sovereignty and brought her mother-in-law to the marae to reconnect with her Tokomaru Bay whanaunga (extended family). There were reconnections and new connections between students and the local iwi, with one student discovering new family ties.
Making the absolute most of their time on the East Coast, the students visited Te Rangawairua o Paratene Ngata Research Centre, led by Ngāti Porou Hauora in partnership with the Maurice Wilkins Centre and made connections with clinical staff at Te Puia Hospital. Everyone balanced their learning time with waiata, line dancing, soaking in the natural hot springs and swimming in the ocean.
Students have weekly catch-ups with Pūtahi Manawa to review any concerns or questions. They will come back together at the beginning of February to present their projects and celebrate their work.
Read more about the summer research projects.
Reflecting on the 2024-5 Kura Raumati wānanga, Erina said,