Keeghan O'Meara Hei Hei – Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Huarahi Māori

“I started learning te reo Māori in 2017 and it ignited a fire within me. I decided to do everything I could to share the beauty of te reo with as many people as possible. Becoming a teacher was the perfect way for me to combine my passions for education and te reo Māori, and pass it on to our tamariki.

“As a second language learner, I wanted to immerse myself in a learning environment where te reo was the dominant language, so the Huarahi Māori programme was ideal. Learning under the Te Puna Wānanga staff was very exciting and I was ready to soak in all the learning and knowledge that I could.

“From literacy and numeracy to PE and technology, I really enjoyed taking the curriculum courses, while also getting an insight into what it’s like to actively use Te Marautanga O Aotearoa in the classroom. The practical elements of the programme have given me first-hand experience in schools and allowed me to create learning resources to use in the classroom.

“The time I’ve spent in the classroom has given me the most amazing learning experiences because the tamariki have just as much to offer me as I offer them. I get an indescribable feeling inside when I see a tamaiti (child) get excited about learning new kupu (words). I want to create a space where tamariki can express their creativity and explore their learning through te reo.

“I’m really grateful for the foundation of support since the first day I walked on campus, and it’s the best feeling to know that help is never far away. I feel very lucky to learn alongside such an incredible group of people. Having passionate lecturers and like-minded peers has shaped me into the best kaiako (teacher) I can be.”