Massey University's Māori name is Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa.
This name was gifted to us in 1997 by revered Māori academic Kahu Stirling. Te Pūrehuroa references the endless line of stars in the Milky Way. Te Kunenga is a term that references the notion of inception. Together, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, suggests 'from inception to infinity.’ It recognises learning:
- without barriers
- without limits
- without any finite point of conclusion.
In other words, learning is a lifelong journey.
Ngā ingoa Māori mō te whare wānanga, ngā wāhi me ngā kura
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, he ingoa Māori tō ngā peka e toru, ngā kura me ngā kāreti katoa.
Māori names for the university – Massey University, its 3 campuses and its schools and colleges all have Māori names.
Ngā waiata – Massey University waiata
Te waiata o te whare wānanga, tōna whakapapa, ngā kupu me te rangi.
'Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa' is also Massey University’s official waiata.
Our waiata highlights the university's values, imploring us to pursue excellence and set high expectations. It also highlights that knowledge should be used to uplift people, for both our individual and collective benefit.
The decision to create a waiata for the university shows consistency with our:
- cultural diversity – because of the different environments and locations where Massey does (and will) engage
- cultural uniqueness – through Massey's connection with local communities and recognition of the significance of te reo Māori.
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa is a taonga that every member of the university can embrace. You'll hear it sung at university events – like graduation, for example.
Video transcript
Nei rā te reo karanga e tau atu nei
Ki te hāpai ake i te rau tāngata
Whakaako, whakaeke ki te kōmata.
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa.
Te ara mātauranga
Ka whakarewa e
Te māramatanga ka kitea e
Kimihia, rangahaua kia whita e.
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa!
Background and lyrics
Background and lyrics
The waiata is sung to the tune of Blue Smoke, a hit song from the 1940s. Blue Smoke was written by Ruru Karaitiana, who was a member of the 28th (Māori) Battalion. He has links to Massey University both through his Rangitāne affiliations and whānau members who have attended the university.
We're grateful for the generosity the Karaitiana whānau have shown in giving the university their approval to use the tune.
The waiata was composed by Dr Darren Joseph in consultation with Māori staff at the university and approved by Professor Sir Mason Durie and Jacob Tapiata. Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa was launched during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori in 2011.
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa
Nei rā te reo karanga e tau atu nei
Ki te hāpai ake i te rau tāngata
Whakaako, whakaeke ki te kōmata.
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa.Te ara mātauranga
Ka whakarewa e
Te māramatanga ka kitea e
Kimihia, rangahaua kia whita e.
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa!
English explanation:
Hear the call, the message
To uplift the diverse human nature
Learn and aspire to reach the pinnacle
This is the message from Massey University.The pathways to learning
Can be inspirational
And deeper understanding can enlighten
Therefore, seek out and grasp knowledge
This is the message from our university!
Whakapapa – Our history
Ara noa atu te nui o ngā kaimahi me ngā tauira kua whakatipu i te tūāpapa o Māori@Massey.
Generations of staff and students have laid the foundations for Māori@Massey.
Te Tari o te Tumuaki Māori
Tūtaki mai i te kāhui e ārahi nei i ngā kaupapa mō Te Tiriti e ū ana ki te whanaketanga me ngā tūmanako o te iwi Māori. Meet the team supporting Massey to be a Tiriti-led institution, committed to the development and aspirations of Māori.
Paora Ammunson
Robyn Matthews
Professor Dame Farah Palmer
Aniwairua Komarkowski-Chapman
Te Rautaki Māori@Massey
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Strategy 2022–2027
As a Tiriti-led university we are committed to demonstrating authentic leadership in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand as we uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles through our practice. We see this as a critical requirement to advance more inclusive and socially progressive outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand. We will achieve this through provision of well-resourced Te Tiriti education, including research, teaching and collaborations that emphasise Te Tiriti-informed partnerships.
Read the latest Massey University Strategy in either English or te reo Māori.
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Strategy 2022–2027 (English) (PDF, 4.3 MB)
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Strategy 2022–2027 (te reo Māori) (PDF, 3.6 MB)
Kia Mārama: Māori@Massey 2020 Strategy & Language Policy
He aha ngā mahi e mahia ana hei whakawhanake hei whakauru i te reo Māori me te mātauranga Māori, he aha hoki ngā akoranga me ngā rangahau e hāpai ana i te whanaketanga o ngā whānau, hapū me ngā iwi.
We strive to advance and integrate te reo Māori and Māori knowledge at Massey and to provide teaching and research that contribute to better outcomes for whānau, hapū and iwi.
Kia Mārama: Māori@Massey 2020 Strategy
Kia Mārama: Māori@Massey 2020 Strategy
The Kia Mārama: Māori@Massey 2020 Strategy describes how Massey University will contribute to Māori development.
It builds on the strong foundations laid in the first decade of Maori@Massey and aligns with the wider Massey University strategy, the Ministry of Education's Tertiary Education Strategy and broad priorities for Māori development.
Ministry of Education: Tertiary Education Strategy
It centres on 3 themes:
- He ara mātauranga: forging academic pathways.
- He waka mātauranga: building catalysts for learning and scholarship.
- He puna mātauranga: generating new knowledge relevant to Māori development.
Under each of these themes, the Strategy describes key initiatives for Māori development. It concludes by laying out our targets for 2020 and defining how we will measure success.
Matua Reo Kaupapa: Māori Language Policy
Matua Reo Kaupapa: Māori Language Policy
Massey's Māori Language Policy provides a framework for increased Māori language use at the University.
It lays out our policy for the use, promotion and visibility of te reo Māori in six areas:
- Te reo Māori in University teaching and research.
- The Māori Language Advisory Group.
- Te reo Māori in University branding, communications and occasions, and the names and titles of staff positions, facilities and structures.
- Staff fluency in te reo Māori.
- Ensuring the high quality of te reo Māori at Massey.
- Massey University's participation in national forums relating to te reo Māori.
Toi Māori – Māori graphic designs
Tūhura i te hononga o ngā tauira ka whakamahia i tā mātau paetukutuku ki ō mātau mātāpono, wawata hoki.
Discover how the graphic designs we use around our website reflect our philosophy and aspirations.
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