Above: Check out some photos from the 2026 Tuākana Learning Communities Hākari!

There are three awards per programme, selected by the Tuākana leadership teams within Faculties and Te Tumu Herenga | Library and Learning Services. Eligible awardees are current students who are employed as Tuākana.

• Leadership Award: recognising a Tuākana who has consistently shown leadership and initiative in their programme.
• Tuākana to Watch Award: recognising Tuākana in their first year who has shown potential to elevate the success of our tauira.
• Wairua Award: recognising someone who is the embodiment of the kaupapa and values of the Tuākana programme.

This award recognises students from the Tuākana Learning Community for services to Māori and Pacific communities and is selected by the offices of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori and the Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific from nominations submitted by Faculty Tuākana teams.

This award recognises someone who acknowledges, maintains, and develops the deep, abiding relationships between tangata whenua and our Pacific whanaunga as embodied in Tāne-nui-a-rangi, our wharenui, and known through our mātauranga and known through our mātauranga.

The 2026 Hākari celebrated 27 across 8 programmes. Joshua Tan from MAPAS and Alistair Webster from Tuākana Business were both honoured as recipients of the Waipapa Tātai Hono Award 2026.

Alistair Webster

Alistair Webster (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Whakaue) has made an outstanding contribution to the Business Tuākana programme through three years of dedicated service as a Tuākana tutor, culminating in his appointment as Head Tutor Māori this year in recognition of his strong leadership and commitment to creating a mana-enhancing environment where tauira feel welcomed, connected, and supported to succeed. He has played a key role in strengthening the programme by leading improvements to tutor processes that have enhanced the experience of both students and tutors, while also generously supporting students and whānau as they begin their journey at the Business School. Through his leadership, warmth, and selfless commitment to serving others, Alistair has helped foster a strong sense of community and belonging for Māori and Pacific students, leaving a lasting and highly valued impact across the faculty.

Joshua Tan

Joshua Tan (Lepea and Vailoa (Upolu), Samoa) has made a profound contribution to Māori and Pacific student success through his unwavering commitment to service, humility, and community. Over several years, he has supported students as a tutor, mentor, speaker, and advocate, generously sharing his time, knowledge, and lived experience to help them navigate the challenges of university study. Known for his approachable nature and genuine care for others, Joshua empowers students through encouragement, guidance, and reassurance, helping them build confidence and achieve their goals. Even after relocating to Tauranga, he remained deeply committed to supporting his community, opening his home as a learning space for students preparing for clinical assessments and examinations. Embodying the spirit of the Tuākana-Teina relationship, Joshua consistently uplifts those around him and celebrates the achievements of others, leaving a lasting impact through his dedication to Māori and Pacific student success and the development of future generations of health professionals.

2026 Awards

Leadership Award:

Nae Ngatuvai-McClain (Tuākana Arts and Education)

Tepora Latu (Tuākana Business)

Trenyce Karehana (Law – Māori Academic Programme)

Ezra-Lee Magele (Law – Moana Oceania Academic Initiative)

Ruby Stretch-Treweek (Tuākana Science)

Elizabeth Jin Pearce (MAPAS)

Chris Oliver (Tuākana Engineering and Design)

Tyla Harris-Lafaele (Leadership Through Learning)

Tuākana to Watch Award:

Maiana Cameron (Tuākana Arts and Education)

Grace Adcock (Tuākana Business)

Jorja Melenaite Panapa (Law – Māori Academic Programme)

Shriya Kelderman (Law – Moana Oceania Academic Initiative)

Tete-Kura Hindman (Tuākana Science)

Sam Wheeler (MAPAS)

Apoua Lilo (Tuākana Engineering and Design)

Estèe Aiolupotea (Te Fale Pouāwhina)

Rhiannon Kapa (Leadership Through Learning)

Wairua Award:

Nichole Loloselo (Arts and Education)

Supina Iorive (Tuākana Business)

Maumahara A Kētia Pukeroa (LAW – Māori Academic
Programme)

Aniva Clarke (LAW – Moana Oceania Academic Initiative)

Ava Siakimotu (Tuākana Science)

Michel Tuakalau (Engineering and Design)

Daisy Tauvae Tuiletufuga (Te Fale Pouāwhina)

Loisi Papa Manu Ofahiki Leger (Leadership through
Learning)