From the bush to a PhD - Fabian's journey of faith, family, and learning

As a young boy growing up in Rūātoki, Fabian C Mika’s classroom was the ngahere.

He learned by following his older brother through the bush, reading the land, observing nature, watching the seasons, and being guided by his kaumātua.

During the school holidays his mother would ask if he wanted to go to Auckland, his answer was easy, and always the same:

“No, I’d rather stay home in the bush.”

Unknown to him, the seeds of education had already been planted. Through trips to the marae, lessons in karakia, and the guidance of kaumātua he was being drawn toward his faith. In his teens, he found himself leading karakia and teaching others – steps that would eventually set him on an academic path he never expected.

In 2002, Fabian enrolled in a teaching diploma programme. One qualification led to another and soon he had completed a Bachelor of Māori Education and Bachelor of Mātauranga Māori.

“I signed the enrolment papers almost by accident, but within a year I’d completed two degrees. Curiosity kept me moving forward.”

Fabian found he had deep questions about the Ringatū faith which no one could answer. Instead of leaving them unresolved, he returned to study.

He chose to explore the meaning behind Ringatū practices for his master’s thesis. He graduated with first-class honours, after writing his thesis entirely in te reo Māori.

Still, he wasn’t finished with education. In 2018, Fabian approached supervisor, Professor Taiarahia Black, about starting a PhD.

“I took in boxes of research and my supervisor nearly fell off his chair.”

Fabian was accepted into the doctoral programme, and for 5 years he poured his energy into research, even travelling overseas to connect his thesis with physical evidence of biblical texts.

In 2025, after countless late nights, sacrifices, and moments of doubt, Fabian graduated with his PhD. For him, the degree wasn’t just a personal achievement, it was a gift for his whānau, hapū, iwi, and anyone else who wanted to know more about the Ringatū history.

“I studied for my kids,” he says. “I want my tamariki and mokopuna to see that higher education and mātauranga Māori can walk side by side, and that knowledge is a taonga to be carried forward.”

Today, Fabian continues to share his research through resources for schools, teaching, and his work as a minister. His story is proof that education can be about more than qualifications, it can also be about legacy.

For anyone thinking about postgraduate study, or even a PhD, Fabian has a simple message.

“Don’t be afraid. You don’t have to leave your identity behind to succeed in the world of academia. In fact, it’s your identity, your culture, your whānau, and your community that will carry you through.” 

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