A passion for taonga Māori takes Chanel to Oxford

What started as a desire to strengthen her reo Māori has taken Chanel Coromandel (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Apakura, Ngāti Whanaunga) on an unexpected path, leading to an opportunity to contribute to the care and preservation of taonga Māori at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, England.

Based in Rotorua, Chanel first came to Te Wānanga o Aotearoa as a reo Māori tauira, wanting to strengthen her knowledge and immerse herself in te ao Māori. Since then, her love of learning has led her to study several programmes, including the Diploma in Rongoā, Certificate in Māori Governance and now Te Tohu Tiaki Taonga.

It was during her time as a kaimahi at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa that conversations with kaiako sparked her interest in rongoā.

“The kōrero I had with colleagues who were kaiako in rongoā was inspiring. It felt like I would be missing out if I didn't take the opportunity to learn from them. Their knowledge, passion and humility encouraged me.”

Her learning has continued to shape the direction of her mahi, particularly her work in caring for and preserving taonga. Her landmark dissertation, Acknowledging the Mana of Mahi Toi, explored how digital technology could support the long-term preservation of taonga, drawing on her mahi with Āhua Gallery at Te Puia.

“I wanted my dissertation to align with my passions and to add real world value. I had worked with Te Puia in Rotorua in the past, so I approached my hoa there for guidance, and that's how my dissertation came about.”

Her passion for digital heritage, combined with the knowledge she gained through her studies at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, has led to an opportunity to take her learning even further through Te Māori Fellowship.

Te Māori Fellowship is delivered in partnership with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust, and Pitt Rivers Museum.

The inaugural fellowship will see Chanel, alongside fellow recipients Hamuera Manihera and Paora Tibble, travel to Oxford, England, on 11 October to undertake a six-week professional development residency at Pitt Rivers Museum.

“I'm looking forward to being guided on how we can contribute to their existing mahi, while also exploring the photographic and manuscript collections connected to Mākereti Papakura as it relates to my dissertation mahi.”

Chanel's participation is also supported by British Council New Zealand and the Pacific, part of a longer history of cultural exchange between the UK and Aotearoa.

Natasha Beckman, Director, British Council New Zealand and the Pacific, says:

"Last September, a century-old pou was gifted by the Rangitiaria Schuster Whanau Trust and the Iwi of Tūhourangi to the British people through the British Council. The gifting, named Te Whakapiringa, was timed to align with the posthumous awarding of Mākereti Papakura's Master of Philosophy degree from University of Oxford. Supporting Chanel Coromandel as she works with the historical archives of Mākereti honours her legacy to take Māori culture to the world and continues our reciprocal cultural connections between the UK and Aotearoa New Zealand."

Evie O'Brien, Te Kura Toroa – Chief Executive Officer of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa says pioneering this inaugural cohort represents a major opportunity to return critical knowledge back to grassroots communities.

“Grounding this research opportunity in mātauranga Māori is central to our mission. These taonga carry knowledge, whakapapa and stories that belong to our people, so creating opportunities for Māori researchers and practitioners to engage with them on their own terms is incredibly important. We are exceptionally proud to support these three fellows as they grow their practice internationally."

For Chanel, the residency is an opportunity to both contribute to and learn from the collections and local expertise. She is also hopeful that the experience will inspire future PhD study.

“Whatever happens, my hope is for it to be aligned with promoting how beautiful our mahi toi is and how we can always approach everything with respect and humility.”

Looking back on her time as a tauira, Chanel says her journey with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa has given her more than mātauranga.

“Studying with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is about more than growing skills and knowledge. It's about whanaungatanga, community and opportunities. I mean, just look at the opportunities I have received with Te Māori Fellowship.”

Explore the programmes available at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and follow Chanel's fellowship journey on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.