HE KUPU RUARUA
Celebrating an educational pioneer The Waikato township of Te Awamutu has formally recognised the outstanding educational contribution of Rongo Wetere, the founding Tumuaki of Te Wánanga o Aotearoa.
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ongo Wetere was one of 18 local heroes to be inducted into the town’s Walk of Fame in Selwyn Park, which was opened last November by Kïngi Tuheitia. Other inductees include Tim and Neil Finn of Split Enz fame, rangatira Rewi Maniapoto and the entrepreneurial Tamaki brothers. Te Awamutu Mayor Alan Livingston says Rongo’s greatest contribution was his refusal to accept failure, especially among young Mäori. “Through education and training he has instilled a sense of purpose, work ethic and skills, and a sense of pride which has now extended nationwide,” Mr Livingston says. Te Wänanga o Aotearoa Senior Cultural Ambassador Marie Panapa (Aunty Ma) worked with Rongo in the 1980s to establish better training and job opportunities for youth in Te Awamutu. She says Rongo was a true pioneer. “Rongo’s vision was very clear and it drove us over what seemed to be insurmountable challenges.” Marie says Rongo, a Te Awamutu College board member, and former teacher Boy Mangu were the driving force behind the building of the Otäwhao Marae at Te Awamutu College.
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KA MÍHARO
RAUMATI Summer
HE KUPU RUARUA
Otäwhao Marae was the first marae to be built in a school or tertiary institution in Aotearoa. A year later, Rongo and his team established the Waipä Kökiri Arts Centre in Te Awamutu, which offered Mäori arts courses and trade training programmes. This humble organisation evolved into Te Wänanga o Aotearoa. For the next 25 years, Rongo led Te Wänanga o Aotearoa through a rapid growth phase. Te Wänanga o Aotearoa now offers tertiary programmes to more than 40,000 tauira around the country. Despite this huge growth, Rongo insisted that head office remained in Te Awamutu. Mayor Alan Livingston acknowledges that this decision has brought significant benefits to the town. “It is one of the district’s largest employers and we have had the benefit of the strong cultural qualities provided by the Wänanga, especially in assisting at-risk youth,” Alan says. Rongo, who is working in Canada on a national adult literacy programme for indigenous peoples, was unable to attend the
launch. Daughter Susan Cullen, who unveiled his poupou with his mokopuna, says her father is humbled by the honour. “Personally, I believe it made him feel a bit homesick, but he is so passionate about indigenous educational needs he just won’t relax for a minute.”