Pictured from left is award recipient Maia Te Ratana with Humanities Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Hugh Campbell, and Tia Fleming with her son.
Undergraduate students of Te Pae Takata - The School of Arts were recently presented with awards recognising their achievements in the previous academic year.
The various awards celebrate a Māori and Pacific student demonstrating diligence in the first year, and leadership in the second year, and then third year students whose research has a Māori and Pacific focus.
Head of the School of Arts, Professor Simone Marshall says it is a pleasure to recognise and celebrate the successes of our students, who have excelled in all their subjects.
“These are the students who will go on to be leaders in our communities, and we want to support and encourage them on their journey.”
Established in 2023, these awards are given to tauira at each year level enrolled in a major or minor in the School, which includes the Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies, Classics, English and Linguistics, History, Languages and Cultures, Philosophy and Theology.
Students are nominated by staff, and a panel then selects a winner.
Award coordinator Professor Thomas McLean, from the School’s English and Linguistics programme says some decisions this year were so difficult that nominees were also called up to be congratulated.
“I’m pleased to say that the number and the quality of nominations has increased each year, and as a result, there are worthy students who don’t receive an award. We wanted to make sure that all our nominees know that their efforts are valued.”
The winners are below, with a selection of the many positive comments from their nominators.
First-year awards for diligence, Pacific and Māori tauira
Maia Te Ratana received the School of Arts Fonua Achievement Prize for First-Year Pacific Students. This celebrates diligence, merit and high academic achievement. Her nomination includes the comments:
“Maia's results stand out among the students we have in the humanities.”
“Her ability to address and analyse complex issues within these courses underscores her academic ability and commitment to learning.”
Tia Fleming received Te Pae Takata Whakamānawa Māori Te Pae Tata / School of Arts Achievement Prize for First-Year Tauira Māori. This prize celebrates diligence, merit and high academic achievement. Her nominators said:
“All of Tia’s instructors have been deeply impressed by her commitment to study and to continual improvement.”
“Our staff embrace the opportunity to recognise her commitment to develop herself and to welcome her to our community.”
Pictured on the left is award recipient Kaylee Driver with Humanities Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Hugh Campbell. Mairoa Pomana is on the right with his mother and sister.
Second-year awards for leadership, Māori and Pacific tauira
Kaylee Driver received the School of Arts Tivaevae Leadership Prize for Second-Year Pacific Students. This prize celebrates outstanding leadership. Her nomination includes the comments:
“She's a rising star amongst our small cohort of training Indigenous archaeologists at Otago.”
“Kaylee's intellectual curiosity and willingness to explore are to be commended.”
Mairoa Pomana was awarded Te Pae Takata Whakamānawa Māori Te Hāpai Ō - School of Arts Leadership Prize for Second-Year Tauira Māori. This prize celebrates outstanding leadership. Mairoa is undertaking a Bachelor of Arts major subject Japanese, and a minor in Music.
“It was a pleasure to witness his growth as a student and a leader, and his contributions truly enriched the class. I have no doubt he will continue to excel in all his future endeavours.”
“His ability to lead and create a collaborative environment was evident, and his positive approach inspired everyone to reach their full potential.”
From left Shontay Simpson and Gemma McAllister with Humanities Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Hugh Campbell
Third-year awards for research with a theme relevant to the Pacific and to Māori
Shontay Simpson received the School of Arts Faletufuga Research Prize for Third-Year Students. This prize celebrates an outstanding research project on a theme relevant to the Pacific.
Shontay was nominated for an essay she submitted in a third-year Spanish paper investigating the homogeny and uniqueness of Indigenous cultures, particularly Samoa and Venezuela.
“Examining topics from religious belief to gastronomy, Shontay identified fascinating connections and differences between the indigenous communities of two equatorial countries.”
Gemma McAllister received Te Pae Takata Whakamānawa Māori Te Pae Tawhiti School of Arts Māori Research Prize for Third-Year Students. This prize celebrates an outstanding research project on a theme relevant to Māori.
Gemma was nominated for her creative portfolio for a third-year English paper. One of her nominees says, “This is a beautiful suite of stories, really well conceived and thoughtfully executed.”
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