“The idea is to have closer relationships between Australian Indigenous scholars at the University of Western Sydney and Māori scholars here at Te Herenga Waka,” says Dr Mike Ross, head of school, Te Kawa a Māui.

“We’re being more intentional about how we interact with other Indigenous peoples as a school.”

An informal exchange has been in place for a number of years, and the MOU has now formalised the arrangement. Professor Rawinia Higgins, Deputy Vice-Chancellor—Māori and Engagement, signed on behalf of the University and Professor Susan Page, Pro Vice-Chancellor—Indigenous Education, from the University of Western Sydney, visited Te Herenga Waka to witness the signing and take the document back with her to Australia to be signed by their Vice-Chancellor.

“It makes sense to have an exchange with our Australian counterparts, because of the physical closeness and the shared experience as colonised indigenous minorities within similar political, economic, sporting, and societal values. Māori, like Indigenous Australians, also aspire to contribute to all areas of society today,” says Dr Ross.

“This MOU helps us to look outward into the world we live in. The world our students experience is not one that is contained in this physical space. They’re looking at opportunities in the wider community in New Zealand and internationally. This is part of a suite of activities to encourage Te Kawa a Māui students to be outward looking.”

Another Indigenous exchange initiative led by Te Kawa a Māui is the MAOR 302 course with Indigenous counterparts at the Alaska Pacific University. Part of the course is taught separately in New Zealand and Alaska, and part of the course brings students and lecturers together online to interact and share teaching and learning.

“We hope to continue to grow international exchange opportunities and encourage connections between indigenous students and academics,” Dr Ross says. “Both institutions now have the challenge to put the MOU into a tangible and sustainable relationship.”