When Nadia MacDonald chose to study the Diploma in Small Business and Project Management at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa she was motivated not only by her desire for professional development but wanted to embrace her whakapapa and continue a legacy of learning woven deeply into her whānau.
As a Marketing Coordinator at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and a part-time team member at a tenpin bowling centre in Wellington, Nadia juggles multiple roles with purpose and passion.
“My grandmother once studied raranga here, my mum graduated with her Bachelor of Social Services, my aunties and cousins have studied te reo Māori and toi programmes, and some of them work here. I was part of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa long before I joined as staff.”
Nadia graduated with her diploma in 2024 and was taught by renowned kaiako, Mike Horlor.
The support she received from Mike and the learning he imparted gave Nadia the confidence to put her newly found knowledge straight into practice in her mahi.
“Mike’s teachings are grounded in the real world. He’s not just a kaiako, he’s a mentor. He helped shape my business thinking, and I’ve been able to use that at the bowling centre. We’ve identified new opportunities for growth, and I’ve been confident to put ideas into action.”
Group projects allowed Nadia to trial fresh strategies and stretch her thinking.
“Businesses are doing it tough right now, but the diploma gave me the tools to think differently, especially when working with classmates. We tested ideas, challenged each other, and grew together.”
Despite the challenges of raising 2 tamariki, working 2 jobs, and studying, Nadia earned her diploma with merit.
“Time was my biggest hurdle. But I had support from my whānau and both workplaces. They really backed me to get it done.”
Now, Nadia’s diploma isn’t just a piece of paper, it’s a living document. She’s using it daily in her mahi and has big plans to tautoko her brother in launching his own business soon.
Nadia believes that with support, vision, and a place like Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, success is always within reach.
