Theology student Jaime Heperi says receiving the Te Pae Takata Whakamānawa Māori - Te Pae Tata School of Arts Achievement Prize for first-year tauira Māori makes her feel “seen” in an educational environment.
Jaime Heperi (Ngapuhi, Kai Tahu) is the winner of Te Pae Takata Whakamānawa Māori - Te Pae Tata School of Arts Achievement Prize for first-year tauira Māori.
Jaime says of this recognition, “Honestly, I'm just grateful to feel 'seen' in an educational environment. Although I have a very real love for learning, I haven't always found it easy to be in educational spaces.”
Her nominee is Professor Murray Rae, Theology, who says, “Jaime has proven herself to be a very thoughtful and astute scholar who writes extremely well and has consistently demonstrated an excellent grasp of the subject matter of theology.”
Jamie is undertaking a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and recalls being asked to write a reflection about ‘why theology matters’ early in semester one of 2023. She suggested that a careful and thoughtful search of the scriptures would strengthen our relationship to God.
“It was an answer that was really just pulled out of the course readings, but by the end of the year I could make this statement based on experience. This is the best treasure for me - it enriches my relationship to God. I have really great peers and lecturers for which I am grateful too.”
Before coming to study at Otago, Jaime was employed in Alternative Education at Te Hou Ora Whanau Services working with rangatahi who had disengaged from mainstream school.
“The programme was aimed at helping these amazing youth to heal their relationships to education, and to feel seen and cared for. This was hugely rewarding mahi and I hope to return to something similar once I finish my studies.”
Te Pae Tata School of Arts Māori and Pacific Prizes
This is one of a series of articles on the six recipients of the 2024 Te Pae Tata School of Arts Māori and Pacific prizes. The prizes recognise diligence and leadership among Māori and Pacific students, and outstanding scholarship on topics significant to Māori and Pacific communities.
Ngā mihi thank you to all the kaimahi across the School of Arts who nominated students; to those who served on the four committees: Sia Lei-Mata’afa, Tenaya Brown, Michelle Taiaroa, Michelle Thompson-Fawcett, Michelle Schaaf, Tagiilima Feleti, Arlene Allan and Wayne Te Kaawa; and to the main coordinator of these prizes, Thomas McLean.
– Kōrero by Division of Humanities Communications Adviser Antonia Wallace