Former All Black strengthens passion for toi through wānanga programme
Former All Black Kees Meeuws has always had a passion for toi, so much so, that in his earlier years he studied at Elam School of Fine Arts, completing a foundation year and first year sculpture.
But due to rugby and professional contracts that came calling, he put his toi studies on hold to pursue his sporting dreams.
Over the past few years, as he’s taken a step back from rugby, Kees has been able to get back in touch with his creative side and started producing toi again.
“I’ve dabbled in art for a while. I’ve had a couple of exhibitions in collaboration with another Māori artist and friend of mine, David Burke. But I’ve always just wanted to learn more about the kaupapa and tikanga behind the art,” says Kees.
Although already a practicing artist, Kees still felt he was missing something when it came to his creative side.
Thankfully, he was able to find that missing piece when he enrolled in Te Wānanga o Aotearoa Toi Maruata programme at the Dunedin campus.
“To be able to do this programme, Toi Maruata through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, was important for me. Being urban Māori, I’m kind of self taught in Māori art and design and I really wanted to understand more of the protocol and that side of things that comes along with doing mahi toi.”
After seeing his daughter complete the programme in Semester A of 2023, Kees knew it was the right time for him to step up and study once again.
“She did it the first semester and I did it the second semester. She was the reason that I did it. I saw her class exhibition and I loved what I saw. Once I saw her exhibition I said, this is what I want to do and I signed up straight away. I made time and made it happen.”
Kees has since participated in his own Te Wānanga o Aotearoa exhibition alongside his fellow tauira, saying it was a moment he was highly proud of and he was over the moon with the result of his mahi toi.
“I think it’s a wonderful thing what Te Wānanga o Aotearoa offers, in all areas. It’s a place where you can be yourself and feel welcomed in the Māori world. It’s completely different to studying at a university or polytechnic, it is much more humbling and grounding and the experience that you get, you will forever hold on to.”
Pūrongo whakahirahira
Featured stories
Strengthening Indigenous‑led global partnerships
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust to host delegation from Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford Delegation and formalise Māori Curatorial Partnership
Upholding reo Māori beyond kura kaupapa
At 18 years old, Te Tatau Strother walked into his first Te Pīnakitanga ki te Reo Kairangi class at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa feeling like the youngest voice in a room full of experienced reo Māori speakers.
Weaving a shared journey of growth
What began as an opportunity to learn something new for Riri (Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngā Rauru Kītahi, Pākehā) and Rich Rio (Kuki Airani, Ngāti Maniapoto) grew into a journey of confidence, deeper connection to te ao Māori, and a shared sense of purpose as husband and wife.
Cambridge Museum project guided by wānanga tikanga studies
Cambridge Museum manager, Elizabeth Harvey, is combining her tikanga studies at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa with her passion for local history, to support the museum’s Voices of Cambridge project.
Wānanga launches first of their kind mātauranga Māori certificates, marking a new era for Indigenous knowledge education
Responding to the growing needs and aspirations of tauira, iwi and communities, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is breaking new ground with the launch of 2 new Level 4 certificates that will be the first standalone programmes of their kind in Aotearoa.
Learning tikanga to strengthen community work
After making the move to Aotearoa in 2014 from Germany, Almaz Bergz set out to gain a better understanding of the people, whenua, and culture that shape life here.
Thriving as a kaiako after He Korowai Ākonga
When Marlena Martin began her studies in He Korowai Ākonga – Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) in 2023, she never imagined where it would take her and how much she would grow as an individual.
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa launches new international reo Māori learning
iReo is a flexible, self-directed, online short course made up of 5 standalone modules, each running over 6 weeks. Learners can study at their own pace, weaving te reo Māori into everyday life alongside work, whānau, and other commitments.
Wānanga business programme helps launch The Dog Nanny
Ōtautahi local Jane Dungey turned her passion for animals into The Dog Nanny after completing the Certificate in Small Business at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
From closed doors to open pathways
After the closure of Grace Foundation Whanganui, Craig Kara used his Manaaki Tāngata studies at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa to create Te Ara Kimihia, a kaupapa supporting tāne toward positive futures. His journey of healing, leadership, and transformation now inspires others to find their own pathway forward.
Governance grounded in te ao Māori for future generations
Discover how Māori governance grounded in te ao Māori is shaping future generations. Learn about Manu Taiko – Toro Parirau, a unique programme at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa that empowers whānau with tikanga-based leadership and decision-making skills.
Companion of Te Apārangi, Champion of Te Reo Māori
Te Rita Papesch, musician, educator, and kapa haka stalwart, has been inducted as a Companion of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Discover her inspiring journey of music, haka, and te reo Māori, and how her lifelong dedication to Māori culture shaped generations.