Meet the IMLA Kaiāwhina

KYLIE GARDNER
KAIKŌKIRI / KAWA ORANGA PROGRAMME ADMINISTRATOR

Ko Tararua te Maunga. Ko Otaki te Awa. Ko Ngati Raukawa te Iwi. Ko Ngati Kapumanawawhit te Hapū. Ko Kylie tōku ingoa. Born and bred in Otaki. I am lucky enough to be a staff member at Te Wānanga o Raukawa and the Kaikōkiri for the Kawa Oranga tohu. I am also enrolled in the Poutuarongo Kawa Oranga programme and at the end of my 3 years I look forward to having upskilled myself in the area of sports, exercise and Māori Wellbeing. I love to keep fit and play netball and touch. Staying healthy and being aware of what is good for your tinana is something that is very important to me. This tohu will provide me with all of necessary the resources and skills required to be able to achieve this. I look forward to being able to help my whānau, hapū and iwi in becoming aware of these vital strategies for the longevity and health of our people.
Part of my role as Kaikōkiri for Kawa Oranga Studies is to talk to anyone who is interested in enrolling in the Poutuarongo Kawa Oranga and to discuss how to go about preparing your application for enrolment. I also work closely with the Pukenga Matua and Kaihautū for Kawa Oranga studies to make sure that our students are all happy with each and every aspect of their studies here at Te Wānanga o Raukawa.

ISAAC WARBRICK
PUKENGA MATUA / KAWA ORANGA HEAD LECTURER

Ko Te Arawa, Ko Tainui, Ko Ngā Puhi ngā Iwi. Kia ora tātou. I completed my undergraduate degree with honours in exercise and sport science at Brigham Young University in Laie, Hawaii. I have recently completed  a PhD in Exercise Physiology/Public Health at Massey University. My doctoral research was focused on the relationship between physical fitness, body fat and risk of diabetes in Maori, and the ability of one’s aerobic fitness to predict the risk of the onset diabetes. My aim is to continue undertaking research on the most appropriate modes of exercise to reduce diabetes risk and achieve overall wellbeing in Māori. I am also interested in the role of muscle fibre type proportion on health disparities. In addition to my work and research interests, I enjoy exercising, playing basketball, body boarding and sport in general.

My role as Pukenga Matua means that I get the opportunity to work closely with all Kawa Oranga students throughout the academic year and it allows me to share and put into practice much of what I have researched and studied during my time at University. If you have a passion for Māori Wellbeing, Exercise or Sport then this is the degree for you. This year we have over 30 students in Year One who represent a broad range of interests, backgrounds and experiences. Becuase of the growing popularity of the degree, places for 2011 are limited so please do get in touch with one of the Kawa Oranga team as soon as possible if you are interested.

ARAMA MOORE
KAITAKAWAENGA IMLA / IMLA FACILITY PROJECT MANAGER

Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Pareraukawa, Ngāti Huia
I am Ōtaki born and bred, having completed a BBS at Massey and working within the construction industry in the UK I was approached to progress this project that has been in planning for several years at TWOR. I am a very keen sportsman and interested in developing Māori potential to exceed through overall well-being and knowledge. My role is to work with outside contractors and consultants and manage TWOR’s interest throughout the design, planning and construction phases of IMLA.
This is a very exciting and unique project that will have a positive flow on effect to our whānau, hapū and iwi, and the local community, through employment, education, research and a state of the art facility. This project is particularly appealing to me as I can see the future benefits of this facility on whanaungatanga, kotahitanga, and te taha tinana within te ao Māori.
We have designed this building with kaitiakitanga and sustainability in mind. We are looking forward to construction works starting on site in January 2011 and completion in Feb 2012.
Kia tau ngā manaakitanga.

MEIHANA DURIE
KAIHAUTŪ / DIRECTOR: ORANGA STUDIES FACULTY

Ko Ngāti Kauwhata, ko Rangitāne, ko Ngāti Porou, ko Ngāi Tahu me Rongo Whakaata ngā iwi. Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Meihana Durie tōku ingoa. I have recently completed a PhD thesis at Massey University. My dissertation explores the concept and application of kawa as a means of enhancing Māori engagement in modern times. My role as Kaihautū of Te Whare Oranga allows me to have a close involvement in many aspects of the Poutuarongo Kawa Oranga degree. It is a fresh and exciting approach to enhancing Māori Wellbeing and Māori Lifestyle Advancement that is at the cutting edge of evidenced-based initiatives for Māori Transformation.
In early 2012, we will have a purpose built facility on campus, The Institute for Māori Lifestyle Advancement. The Institute will be home to the Poutuarongo Kawa Oranga programme and will provide a state of the art facility for students to learn, interact and engage . We are fortunate to have a very talented and hardworking staff on board who are committed to Kawa Oranga and are experts and practitioners in their own respective fields. Our hope is that each and every one of our students will graduate and go on to become agents for positive change in wellbeing for whānau, hapū and iwi across the country. The momentum is gathering and we hope that you might consider joining us next year on this exciting new programme. Mauriora!