Kawerau local lives out childhood dream of learning to weave
As a young girl, Barbara Wheto always had a fascination with harakeke and the art of weaving. But growing up in an era where being Māori and Māori culture were scorned upon, she was never encouraged to explore the art form.
She recalls being punished as a young child for playing with harakeke, and from then on, she would hide in the bushes just to practice weaving.
“As far as my parents were concerned, being Māori was the worst thing that could ever happen. Weaving had always been something I’d wanted to do, but I was made to feel like it was wrong,” says Barbara.
In 2022, Barbara enrolled in Kāwai Raupapa Level 4, in Raranga, at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa after seeing an advert on Facebook to study locally in Kawerau.
This decision was one that Barbara was excited about after years of feeling like she had to hide her desire to weave, but it also came with a mixture of fear, knowing that she had never immersed herself in te ao Māori before.
“In the first class, my kaiako was talking about harakeke, and I thought, what the heck is harakeke? That’s how much I didn’t know. I was raised pākehā, and I know that world. I don’t know the Māori world, but I want to know. That has made me more determined to do what I’m doing.”
Now at 60 years old, Barabara has completed Toi Paematua Level 5 in raranga and will walk the stage to receive her tohu at this year's Kawerau graduation ceremony.
And she isn’t stopping there. This year, she has begun working towards her degree, studying Maunga Kura Toi – Bachelor of Māori Art at the Rotorua campus of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Barbara speaks highly of her kaiako, May Te Pou, who has been a great source of encouragement for her throughout her weaving journey.
“My kaiako went to the ends of the earth to support me, and she still does, even though I’m now a tauira in Rotorua. Studying raranga has been for me, and this is something that I have wanted since I was a child. Getting to study raranga has meant the world to me.”
Pūrongo whakahirahira
Featured stories
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.
Keil Caskey – former tauira, now kaiako
Keil Caskey’s journey from tauira to kaiako at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa shows the transformative power of toi Māori education. Discover how his passion for taonga pūoro and commitment to whānau and whakapapa inspired him to teach and give back to his community.
Building confidence, careers, and culture through Māori performing arts
Discover how Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Certificate in Māori Performing Arts goes beyond kapa haka, empowering tauira with skills in drama, screen acting, and public speaking. Hear how graduates like Niquita Samuel are building confidence, careers, and cultural pride.
Making connections between media and Māoritanga
Lizzie Dunn created Te Arawhata to help people reconnect with te ao Māori through media, resources, and kōrero. Discover how her reo journey and passion for sharing knowledge are inspiring thousands to embrace Māoritanga and strengthen cultural connections.
He Māmā, He Rangahau, He Moemoeā
Alex Maddox is turning her lived experience as a māmā into a powerful Rangahau kaupapa through He Waka Hiringa at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Discover how her vision aims to amplify whānau voices in research and policy for tamariki with vision impairments.
Royal Society Fellowship for Kairangahau Matua
Dr Tara McAllister of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa has been awarded the prestigious Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship from Royal Society Te Apārangi. Discover how her research will transform Indigenous science, strengthen mātauranga Māori, and advance equity in Aotearoa’s research sector.
Toi tauira to kaiako series – Desiree Moat-Rangikataua
Heretaunga toi kaiako Desiree Moat-Rangikataua shares her inspiring journey from tauira to kaiako at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Discover how raranga, te reo Māori, and a reconnection to culture shaped her path and why she encourages others to embrace growth and teaching.
Raranga weaves culture and people together
Yumi’s muka kākahu beautifully blends Māori and Japanese culture through raranga. Discover her inspiring journey with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, from Kāwai Raupapa to Maunga Kura Toi, and how weaving has connected her to people, tikanga, and identity.
From the bush to a PhD - Fabian's journey of faith, family, and learning
Fabian C Mika’s journey from the ngahere of Rūātoki to earning a PhD is a powerful story of faith, whānau, and mātauranga Māori. Discover how his passion for Ringatū, te reo Māori, and education led to academic success and a legacy of learning for future generations.
Mahi toi exhibitions 2025
From raranga to whakairo, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa toi tauira are showcasing their mahi toi in free exhibitions across Aotearoa from September to November 2025. Discover stunning works of Māori art and creativity, and celebrate the journey of tauira from certificate to degree level.