Understanding that success is part of who we are

  • I saw a lot of Māori beginning to want Excellences in their classes.

  • This year our top academic students were both Māori, and I think that it just drove us all.
  • I’d like for a new stereotype to be that there are Māori students achieving, and that’s just what they do.

  • It showed everyone that it doesn’t matter where you come from, you can achieve if you put the hard yards in.

  • As both Māori and Cook Island, in a Europeanised education system, I can confidently say that I can pass between the three worlds, and not be a stranger.

  • I mean, all three of us can stand on a stage and dance the hula, and be confident with ourselves. And then stand in a pōwhiri and be confident there too. I know how to do Level 1 Algebra, or write a creative writing piece that’ll give me an Excellence. Those are successes that we are setting for ourselves today so that in 10 years’ time, maybe even sooner, that’ll be normal for Māori students when they’re our age.


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