Te Mana Tauira
Raukura
Raukura is a specialist service that provides a general duty of pastoral care to Māori and Pasifika ākonga (students). In Manawatū and Whanganui, the team can be found in the whānau rooms, and within Te Pā Hao in Wairarapa.
Raukura enriches the learning journey by fostering connection, resilience, and cultural identity. Our pastoral care offers holistic support that nurtures wellbeing and success throughout the student journey and aligns with Te Whare Tapa Whā.
This covers physical safety, access to advice and support services, physical and mental health support, freedom from discrimination and racism, transition into tertiary study and the opportunity to take part in the decision-making on support services.
We walk alongside our ākonga, ensuring they feel safe, valued, and empowered to thrive.
Focussed Support for Foundational Learning
Raukura prioritises support for ākonga enrolled in Certificate Level 3 and 4 programmes and first-year Bachelor programmes.
Where possible, based on course availability and enrolments, our services may extend to other programmes to meet ākonga needs.
Te Whare Tapa Whā
Te Whare Tapa Whā was introduced by Sir Mason Durie in 1984 as a health and wellbeing model. The model symbolises the four walls of a wharenui (meeting house/home), of which each section is strengthened by its connection to whenua (land).
To support your journey, Raukura encourages all ākonga to build wellbeing and resilience using the following approaches:
Taha Wairua | Spiritual Wellbeing
Essence of the person – the unseen and unspoken energies that surround the person. Spiritual elevation & Sensory Awareness. Lifting the spirit through belonging. This connects us to our drive, motivations, passions, expectations, and personal identity.
Self-help: There’s more to you than what you do – learn to accept who you are and what you can be, take the time to reflect and meditate, support others unconditionally, surround yourself with positivity and wellness.
Raukura: Visit the whānau room and experience whakawhanaungatanga to uplift your wellbeing and build new relationships.
Taha Hinengaro | Mental & Emotional Wellbeing/Cognition
Our ability to express our thoughts, feelings and emotions through words, actions and moods. Our unrealised potential of how we see ourselves and our place in the universe. Easing the unconscious mind – still unseen, still forming.
Self-help: Focus on the things you do well and have achieved, take the time to celebrate your successes, make the most of safe and positive spaces that make you feel good about yourself, reflect and share moments and thoughts with others.
Raukura: Visit the whānau room knowing this is your place, where you can be yourself in a safe, inclusive space.
Taha Tinana | Physical Wellbeing
The capacity for physical growth and development of self and others. Ask yourself – “What is my body trying to tell me?” It strengthens your capacity to cope and feel mentally well.
Self-help: Healthy and nutritious kai, good sleep, regular and active exercise.
Raukura: Visit the whānau room and experience the mauri that connects us as whānau and encourages resilience and wellbeing.
Taha Whānau | Family & Social Wellbeing
Sense of belonging and capacity to care and connect with family and wider social networks. This allows you to have a strong social support system, ensures connectedness and the knowledge that you are not alone.
Self-help: Learn your whakapapa (heritage), participate in group and/or whānau activities, share your stories in a safe space, and spend time with peers and/or loved ones.
Raukura: Visit the whānau room, nurture whānau wellbeing, meet our team and experience genuine manaakitanga.
Whenua | Land, Roots
The place we are physically and spiritually nourished, where we are connected and where the mauri, the life-force, spiritually uplifts us - a sense of oneness.
Working towards a flourishing mauri acknowledges an understanding of the interconnectedness of all taha of Te Whare Tapa Whā.
Self-help: Learn your whakapapa (heritage), create your sense of belonging to nourish your Taha.
Raukura: Visit the whānau room to reflect and experience the elements that support, optimise and sustain our health and wellbeing.