Sisters Macy and Neve Duxfield (Ngaa Rauru, Te Ātihanui-a-Papārangi, Ngāi Tahu) graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees, in Māori Resource Management and Māori Studies, and Psychology and Criminology, respectively, while auntie Susie Wakefield (Ngā Wairiki/Ngāti Apa, Te Ātihaunui a Pāpārangi) and her daughter TeRina Lind (Te Ātihaunui a Pāpārangi, Ngā Wairiki, Ngaa Rauru) both graduated with Masters of Nursing Science.
Susie deferred her graduation to walk the stage with TeRina, and Neve deferred her graduation to graduate alongside big sister Macy. All four were excited to participate in Te Hui Whakapūmau at the newly opened Ngā Mokopuna, the Living Pā.
“I’m excited because we’re all going together,” said Susie prior to the ceremony. “And excited because they arranged it so TeRina and I can walk across the floor together. That will be an extra special moment as well.”
Susie, TeRina, and Macy all studied for their degrees by distance, with Neve studying partially on campus and partially by distance. “The fact that three out of four in our whānau have taken that route highlights the importance of ongoing resourcing and improvements with distance learning programmes, especially for tauira Māori who want to be connected to their whānau and whenua whilst they study” says Macy.
Although she studied in Wellington, Neve also valued the combined approach to teaching in person and online, as it enabled her to rewatch lectures and absorb more of the content.
Having key individuals within the University support systems has been invaluable for their student experience, such as the staff at Āwhina, the Māori student support service. Neve says she didn’t reach out to any support services until she was in her fourth year of study, and when she did, Nayte Reweti from Āwhina helped her navigate a “tricky time,” and advocated for her.
“I initially went to student learning because I was having trouble digesting some of my course content. They referred me to disability services, where I was eventually diagnosed with dyslexia,” Neve says. “The support I received was helpful, but more than anything it gave me a sense of validation. Before that, I had always thought I was just a slow learner. I’m grateful for the opportunity to get a formal diagnosis, as I likely wouldn’t have sought one on my own.”
Neve is now partway through her Masters in Forensic Psychology. She says she’s particularly grateful for certain courses, such as an Indigenous Psychology course led by Dr Tia Neha. “This course provided a space for open and honest kōrero about the intersection of Western psychology and mātauranga Māori. We explored the harm that Western psychology has caused to Whānau Māori and our knowledge systems. More importantly, we discussed what can be done to address this harm and improve outcomes for Māori. This is essentially what I’m passionate about and why I study what I study.”
Macy took some time out of her degree and worked in their iwi Post Settlement Governance Entity, Te Kaahui o Rauru, in the environmental team for a couple of years. “I think that added a lot to my learning,” she says. “It contextualised the Māori resource management major. Learning more about what’s happening at home in terms of our taiao, for me it fuelled the passion to keep going. I was lucky to learn a lot from whanaunga from my hapū and iwi which added so much value beyond what I learnt within the classroom.
“I know the University has some good iwi relationships, and I think those are really important to keep investing in and growing. It’s made my study journey a whole lot more meaningful.”
Since finishing her studies, Macy has been researching and working in environmental policy for Kahuawe, a Māori consultancy for iwi and hapu, working primarily on Te Mana o te Wai, a freshwater management concept which is about restoring and preserving the balance between the water, the wider environment, and the community.
Downplaying her own achievements of working full-time while studying for her Masters, Susie Wakefield says daughter TeRina was “more structured on that journey”.
“She planned out when she did her study and had a good timeline, whereas I was the opposite. I’m the one up late at night trying to finish assignments because I hadn’t planned it properly.”
“Aunty Susie has a really demanding job at the hospital,” Macy chimes in. “It’s been amazing the way she has juggled the very intense mahi that she does, and being a mama and a nanny and an aunty, whilst also getting through the Masters.”
Susie has been a registered nurse for more than 20 years, and is the Clinical Nurse Coordinator of Theatre Services at Whanganui hospital. She says she is “very fortunate and proud that TeRina is now part of our nursing and medical whānau at Theatre Services.”
Susie’s thesis investigated Māori nurse leaders’ experiences within nursing. She wanted to ‘give back’ to her whānau, hapū, and iwi, and provide a resource for up-and-coming Māori nurses, as well as building some workforce development. Although there were resources on leadership, there wasn’t a lot on Māori nurse leadership.
Adopting a kaupapa Māori methodology for her thesis, Susie says she was well supported by her “excellent supervisors”, Dr Kathy Holloway, director of the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Practice, and Dr Kirsten Smiler, lecturer in Māori health. “Utilising a kaupapa Māori methodology really allowed me to look at our values and our beliefs in relation to cultural experiences in the workplace and also within our families.
“If I was a bit younger, I would have carried on and done the PhD journey as well,” Susie says. “But I think that’s for my lovely nieces and maybe my daughter TeRina.”
TeRina says she liked that it was easy to navigate her way through the system at the University. “When I was first started my postgrad study I wasn’t sure which direction I wanted to go, and there were a lot of potential pathways, which I was happy about. It was really flexible.”
A highlight for TeRina was meeting a new cohort of people for every course, with their own stories and different experience levels in nursing. She studied part-time and says there are so many different areas in nursing. “It was just cool to get everyone else’s opinions and perspectives from where they’ve worked.”
All four agree that graduating together at the recently opened Ngā Mokopuna, was “super exciting”. Many members of their family travelled down from Whanganui and sung waiata as they crossed the floor to receive their degrees.
“It was a really special day to be able to graduate at Te Tumu Herenga Waka with the newly opened Ngā Mokopuna,” Macy says. “It’s been a really important space for me during my studies so it was extra special to graduate there with so many of our whānau present."
Susie says, "Ngā mokopuna commands a presence of wairua, historical significance, and aroha embodied in the cultural groundings of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. To acknowledge, represent, and embrace the academic achievements of many students.
"We are all humbled and proudly honoured to be recognised for our academic journeys, and treasured sharing this moment with our whānau."