Empowering student leaders to nurture the first year experience through cross-cultural diversity. A Practice Report Nāu te raurau, Nāku te raurau, ka ora ai te iwi

Abstract

Victoria University offers a number of peer-support and mentoring programs for first-year students, including Te Pūtahi Atawahi (mentoring and holistic support for Māori and Pasifika students), PASS (Peer Assisted Study Support) and Campus Coaches (Orientation Week guides). In the past, despite having similar goals of providing peer-support to foster a sense of community, such programs have operated in isolation. However, a recent initiative has seen the development of a core leadership training module, jointly designed and delivered by staff from Te Pūtahi Atawhai and Student Learning Support. Seeking to equip student-leaders with an understanding of some of the holistic Māori values, Kotahitanga (unity), Ako (teaching and learning), Manaakitanga (empathy/hospitality), Whakamana (respect), Whakanui (acknowledging success), Whakawhanaungatanga (building strong networks) and Rangatiratanga (ability to bring groups together/Self-direction), this core training offers the potential to strengthen Treaty of Waitangi relationships and nurture inter-cultural awareness, developing a pan-university sense of belongingness in the process.