A whānau journey of learning at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Studying at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa wasn’t just a personal journey for Tania Dargaville (Te Rarawa). It became a whānau journey, shared alongside her sister and son, learning, growing and now graduating together.
Based in Whakatāne, Tania completed the Certificate in Rongoā, her sister studied Ngā Mahi ā te Whare Pora, and her son undertook the Certificate in Tākaro, Sport and Exercise.
Although they were all on their own learning journey, they were united by a shared commitment to whānau transformation through education.
“We were all learning and growing at the same time. My sister and I did a couple of noho together with raranga and rongoā, and I was also able to bounce ideas off my son because I’d already done the sport and exercise programme and had some of the knowledge,” says Tania.
This wasn’t Tania’s first time studying at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Back in 2010 she completed the same programme her son later undertook, so stepping back into study again felt both purposeful and familiar.
“I came back to Te Wānanga o Aotearoa because I already knew the environment. The whakawhanaungatanga, the people, it just feels like another whānau. I’d always had an interest in rongoā and I was ready to understand the mātauranga properly and go deeper.”
Studying rongoā has given Tania the confidence to stand behind knowledge she has always felt connected to.
“I’d always leaned towards natural ways of healing, but now I actually understand the mātauranga and why things work.”
Learning alongside her whānau added that extra layer of meaning and being able to support her son through study and see him thrive was rewarding.
This year, Tania, her sister, and her son will graduate together, a milestone that represents far more than a qualification for Tania.
“It’s about growth. Not just what I’ve achieved, but what we’ve all achieved together as a whānau.”
She’s now continuing her journey, studying towards the Diploma in Rongoā Māori, driven by her desire to keep learning, go deeper, and give back through mātauranga Māori.
Learn more about our Hauora programmes.
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