Unitec’s Supported Learning students visit Waitangi on a first-ever overnight away trip

“Nothing but smiles and a can-do attitude”

Unitec’s Supported Learning students visit Waitangi on a first-ever overnight away trip

A group of more than 50 students and staff from (Unitec’s) Whaikaha Supported Learning programme have recently returned from their first-ever overnight trip – and for many of them, the first time away from their whānau.

Unitec’s supported learning programmes help support those students with a learning

difficulty or challenge to be independent and confident members of their communities by

developing skills and knowledge for employment and enhancing personal growth and

development.

The two-day trip to Waitangi, which had been almost two years in planning, was part of the

Responsible Citizenship module which covers te Tiriti o Waitangi and Mātauranga Māori, teaching students about tikanga in te ao Māori and kawa, or marae protocol.

They were joined on the trip by work placement students from the School of Social Practice who are assisting with the Supported Learning programme for this semester.  Errīna Thompson, Samantha Headington, Tim Siaki and Aaliyah Preston are all studying for the one-year Certificate in Health & Wellbeing, with specialisations in mental health and addiction, community facilitation and social services.

Managing everyday living skills

The first and second-year Supported Learning students were heavily involved with the planning and fundraising for the trip, which finally went ahead at the end of September after several delays caused by lockdowns and restricted travel.

They raised in excess of $3,000, with activities including an online quiz night, a Downlights Charitable Trust stall selling scented candles, and fresh, bagged avocados donated by a staff member.

“The build-up to the trip was just as important as the trip itself,” says Utkarsh Sanjanwala, a lecturer on the Whaikaha Supported Learning programme, and one of the trip organisers.

“Many of the students hadn’t been away from home before, so we covered some of the learning outcomes in class, including managing everyday living skills.”

Students were encouraged to bring their luggage into class before the trip so they could familiarise themselves with going away, and also discuss any concerns they might have had about going away from their whānau.

“It was amazing to watch the students step outside their comfort zone and rise to the challenge,” says Utkarsh. “They overcame their fears and anxieties by talking with other students and role-playing situations such as packing their bags and making breakfast.”

The students also learned about building a tuakana–teina relationship, or buddy system. It meant those who felt more confident in some situations could guide others, while the roles could be reversed at any time.

“It’s an extension of what the supported learning programme is all about”, says Dave Hicks, academic programme manager for Whaikaha Supported Learning.

“A lot of our students have come from educational facilities where they’ve been in the minority, but when they come on to our programme, they’re surrounded by people who’ve had the same experience.

“They find their whānau with us,” he says.

Learning Mātauranga Māori

Over two days, the group visited the Waitangi Treaty grounds and visitor centre, Te Rau Aroha and Te Kōngahu museums, the carving studio, and the Treaty House, Te Whare Rūnanga. They also learned about traditional Māori waka taua (war canoes), participated in a kapa haka performance, and had a hāngi dinner at the Wharewaka café. For their overnight stay, the students and staff were welcomed onto Te Tii Waitangi marae and into the wharenui, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with a pōwhiri by local Northland Regional councillor, Marty Robinson, and kaikaranga/haukāinga, Natalie Apiata.

Social Practice practicum student Errīna Thompson (Te Rarawa, Ngati Kahu, Ngapuhi, Ngati Raukawa, Waikato), gave the karanga on behalf of the visiting Unitec group. Errīna says the trip represented more than just an opportunity for in-field work experience for her, also providing a significant personal reconciliation with her past connections with the marae, the whenua, her whānau from Waitangi, and a part of her familial whakapapa.

“It’s been thirty years since I’ve been back to Waitangi and it had huge emotional and spiritual aspects for me on so many different levels”, says Errīna.

“I’m so grateful for the support and expertise of Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae Kaiāwhina, Whaea Lynda Toki, who guided me in my karanga, drawing on her dedication to Whaikaha Supported Learning students over the years.”

“Nothing but smiles and a can-do attitude”

Dave Hicks says the group adapted well to a change in their usual daily routine, with the breakfast team getting up at 6am to start the preparation in the marae kitchen, cooking bacon and eggs and organising cereal, fruit and toast. Another team took over to do the cleaning up after breakfast.

“It was amazing to see them work together and adapt so well,” says Dave. “There was nothing but smiles and a can-do attitude.”

Feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive, and their favourite parts about the trip included hearing the sound of the waves, seeing the stars, playing cricket on the beach, seeing Māori taonga at the museum, sleeping on the marae, and hanging out with friends.

Along with the history of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and of Aotearoa, the group said they learned resilience, flexibility, patience, how to cope with changes, and manage to be away from their whānau.

“Thank you for organising this trip to Waitangi,” said one parent in an email thanking the organisers.

“I appreciate all the work you do for my child. It really makes a difference when people go above and beyond the basics of teaching.”