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Te Whakapuāwai is a programme to support Māori students enrolled in Health Sciences First Year (HSFY). All Māori students enrolled in HSFY receive ongoing information and guidance about the programme from the MHWDU as soon as they enrol. Te Whakapuāwai provides Māori HSFY students key information regarding academic assistance, entry into professional programmes and opportunities for whanaungatanga with other Māori HSFY students.

Events and support

Pōwiri and Orientation

Each year on the Monday of Orientation week Te Huka Mātauraka (the University of Otago Māori Centre) organises a welcome for new Māori students, hosted by the local iwi Kāi Tahu on one of the local marae.

SWAT: HSFY study skills, tips and tricks

SWAT is a Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) essential study skills programme led by Māori students who completed HSFY the previous year. You'll attend workshops held on the first three Saturdays of the academic year to ensure you are well prepared for HSFY.

One-to-one catch-ups

Members of our team meet with you individually at key points throughout the year. We aim to ensure students are settled and well informed about university services, HSFY, admissions requirements for health professional programmes and degree planning.

Degree and health professional programme information evenings

We host two major information evenings during the year that provide the opportunity to learn about all Health Sciences degrees including health professional programmes.

Course advising

We provide course advice for health professional programmes and Health Sciences degrees and degree majors. We work closely with Health Sciences Admissions to provide accurate course advice and guidance about admissions, the Māori sub-category, the socio-economic sub-category and other important information.

Academic workshops

In addition to the tutorials lead by the Māori Centre, we run academic workshops to further support you throughout HSFY.
Access to services.

Support for students flatting or boarding

Once a week we run a tutorial and cater dinner for Māori HSFY students who do not live in a residential college. This is an opportunity to meet other students, brush up on content and…
skip cooking for a night!

Information about Health Sciences First Year

For more information

Contact

Our offices are situated across the road from the Dunedin Public Hospital and diagonally opposite Hayward College.
71 Frederick Street, Dunedin Central

Tel +64 3 479 4878
Email mhsfy@otago.ac.nz

Tu Kahika-TwoStudentsLab

"The single greatest thing you can do for yourself is to 'show up'. The organised support I received from all events run by the MHWDU was unparalleled, and is the reason I succeeded in HSFY."HSFY Student 2017

"The team has turned what rumours call a 'nightmare year' into one of the most enjoyable and exciting years of my life."HSFY Student 2019

"One to one meetings lowered my stress levels and made everything seem more achievable. It's nice to know you have support whenever you need it!"
HSFY Student 2019

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