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.

The aim of the project is to capture the history and stories of the Waikato town, especially those of mana whenua. Having moved to Aotearoa from the United Kingdom, Elizabeth knew it was only right that she gained an understanding of tikanga and te ao Māori before inviting people to share their stories.

“I realised we must show that we are respectful of the stories that are being shared with us and we must build relationships. I wouldn’t have been able to do that if I didn’t understand the tikanga that’s needed to be able to talk meaningfully about these things,” she says. 

Elizabeth completed the home-based learning programme, He Papa Tikanga in 2023 and says the knowledge she gained has played a key role in shaping the way she approaches her mahi at the museum and for the project.

From the programme content, to the learning resources and support from kaitiaki, Elizabeth was impressed with how accessible and meaningful the learning was, especially while juggling work and family commitments.

“The structure of the programme was great, it took you on a journey from the past to the present, helping you to understand the various complexities of Māori history. The resources were high quality, and I was even able to use them to help my own children with their school studies.”

Being a home‑based learning programme, Elizabeth also appreciated the flexibility it offered, allowing her to learn at her own pace and in her own time.

“The programme has been designed to enable you to fit it around your schedule. I was working 2 jobs at the time and had a young family, but I was still able to study. If you're worried that you don't have time or you think that it'll be above your head, then don't worry because it’s been designed to fit easily into your lifestyle. And it's really rewarding too.”

Elizabeth’s learning journey didn’t end with He Papa Tikanga, she has also taken up the opportunity to learn te reo Māori through a local Cambridge provider, so she can greet and speak with museum visitors confidently and continue working on the project with deeper cultural understanding.

 “You can learn the language, but you also need the Māori world view beside it, they really must come together. That foundation has changed everything about how I work. It’s helped me encourage the Māori voice to come through in the museum and this project, and that’s something I’m passionate about."