Tracey Hall, kaiako of Ngā Poutoko Whakarara Oranga – Bachelor of Bicultural Social Work (BBSW) in Tauranga, is reflective following her decision to help others learn at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Of Ngāti Awa, Te Arawa, Ngai Tahu descent, her professional career has been in the field of social work, which guided the way into teaching.
“Teaching was never on my radar, but I love my job. I love that I’m helping to shape our future social workers from a te ao Māori lens. I get to see the ‘a-ha moments’ with my tauira, where I can see they’ve ‘got it’, they understand what I’m trying to teach.”
Tracey fell in love with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa while completing Kaitiakitanga - Postgraduate Diploma in Bicultural Professional Supervision in 2020 and Te Whainga o te ao Tikanga Level 3 in 2022 and always thought it would be great to work here.
An unexpected approach by another kaiako led the way to her current role. The timing seemed right, as she was beginning to feel ready for a new challenge.
During her first year of teaching, she realised what it truly means to be a kaiako – nurturing the success of her tauira through flexible and adaptable methods.Her dedication to understanding the 4 values of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa - Te Aroha, Te Whakapono, Ngā Ture, and Kotahitanga - and underpinning every action back to them helps her be a better teacher.
“It gives me a fire in my puku to be the best I can to support and nurture tauira to succeed. I see where I can improve, engage, and create a class environment that attempts to meet everyone’s needs.”
The BBSW programme offered by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is unique in Aotearoa and aims to provide future social workers with skills and knowledge needed to create social and societal change for whānau and communities and gain equitable outcomes for all.
To prospective tauira she encourages them to figure out and understand their why.
“When you understand your why, it becomes your driving force to continue. If you are ready to create change for others from a te ao Māori perspective, a bicultural lens, then this is the programme for you.”
