15 mins ago
Mereaera Hesketh is graduating with a Master of Professional Practice.
Over 30 years after completing her first te reo MÄori certificate, Mereaera Hesketh (Rongomaiwahine, NgÄti Kahungunu, RangitÄne, NgÄti Hikairo, NgÄti Pahauwera, NgÄti RÄkaipaaka, Ngai Te Ipu, NgÄti Hamua, NgÄti Hinemanu, NgÄti Rameka) is now graduating with a Master of Professional Practice with Distinction.
But so much has happened in between.
Mereaera started to study te reo MÄori in the late 1980s at the Hawkeâs Bay Community College (former name of EIT) after working as a kaiÄwhina at Åmahu KÅhanga Reo. During this time her eldest daughter attended Åmahu KÅhanga Reo, and Mereaera was able to bring her eldest son, a baby at the time, to class. In the years that followed Mereaera gained a teaching diploma from Palmerston North Teachersâ College followed by a Bachelor of Education at Massey University.