NGĀ MŌKAI O NGĀ WHETŪ
Founded in 2007, Ngā Mōkai O Ngā Whetū is the Aotearoa NZ Māori Dental Students’ Association, set up by tauira, for tauira, to help support and promote participation, development and success of all Māori students studying Oral health at University of Otago and AUT.
The association includes postgraduate and undergraduate students from all fields in Oral health, including Dentistry, Dental Specialities, Dental Therapy, Dental Hygiene, Dental Technology, Bachelor of Oral Health.
The logo above was designed by Raniera Ellison in 2016, and symbolises bringing things to fruition; being guided by the heavens in creating their will; moving in a way of peace; being aware of and catering to the spiritual and environmental, while also providing for the wider communities.
The objectives of Ngā Mōkai are set to enhance the whakawhanaungatanga between students and staff while maintaining the authenticity of Māori and integrity of both Universities to develop well academically but in an environment that caters for the individuality of Māori.
Our objectives
- Provide peer support to all Māori students interested in dental related fields.
- Provide mentors for new and graduating dental students through the Te Kaiārahi programme.
- To make a contribution to and awhi dental excursions, events, ventures and skill development of our members.
- To give students the opportunity to liase and network with other health professionals.
- To provide the Dental School with guidance when asked on Māori matters pertaining to oral Health.
Current Activities
- Being a part of mihiwhakatau, the official welcoming of new students
- Attending Te Ao Mārama Hui a Tau and involvement in the Te Kaiārahi mentoring programme
- Representation on Te Ao Mārama by an executive member
- Attendance at the biannual HSFY hui organized by the Māori centre at Otago University
- Regular meetings with the executive and members
- Provision of dental school tours and presentations for prospective students
- Organisation of celebrations of te wiki o te reo
- Presenting graduating students with a Tohu from Ngā Mōkai o Ngā Whetū
- End of year formal dinner
Ngā Mōkai O Ngā Whetū
ki Ōtepoti
Tumuaki: Phoebe Skinner, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Kahu – BDS5
Tumuaki Tuarua: Breanna Jansen, Te Arawa – Ngāti Moetonga – BDS5
BOH Kaiwhakahaere: Tui -Aroha Fransen, Kāi Tahu, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Te Aupōuri – BOH2
Kaituhi: Charlie Douglas Whakatōhea; Ngāti Pikiao (Te Arawa); Ngāti Porou ki Harataunga ki Mataora – BDS4
Kaitiaki Pūtea: KC Treanor, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpārangi – BDS4
Kaiwhakahaere Mātauranga: Akuira Haimona ,Ngawharau – BDS3
Te Māngai ki Tua: Divine Tahere, Ngāpuhi – DTECH3
University of Otago 2024
Ngā Mōkai O Ngā Whetū Ki Tāmaki Makaurau
Tumuaki: Natasha Apiti-Pickup,
Ngāti Maniapoto – BOH 3
Tumuaki : Kayne Pilling,
Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahungungu – BOH 2
Auckland University of Technology 2024