Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou (The University of Otago) staff alongside fifth year medical students from Te Kura Whaiora o Ōtepoti (The Dunedin School of Medicine), held their annual noho marae Wednesday 13 to Friday 15 April.

The University’s Hauora Māori Convenor’s Anna Tiatia Fa’atoese Latu (Kāi Tahu, Arowhenua) Associate Professor Joanne Baxter (Kāi Tahu, Makaawhio), staff members and members of the community were invited. Manawhenua representatives Peter Ellison, Dougie Ditford, Michelle McDonald, and Tui Kent warmly welcomed all 79 students and nine staff members on to Ōtākou Marae at the Wednesday afternoon pōwhiri.

Over the three day noho, 21 staff and Māori community members weaved their expertise from waiata practise on the bus, which produced beautiful waiata at the pōwhiri, to then teaching host responsibilities in the wharekai. Special thanks to Kate Dempsey and her team for the outstanding menu and manner in which we were hosted.

The students were put into groups that identified special and significant areas around the marae and then feedback on what they had learnt which produced some wonderful skits. We utilised every space at the marae for most of the noho with waiata practise in the whare karakia, weaving in the wharenui, kemu on the veranda of Hākuiao, and te reo in the wharekai all at the same time. On the final day a visiting doctor from Whakatane, a lecturer from University of Otago Wellington campus, and local actors all participated in clinical workshops, but the highlight for most was the heartfelt mihimihi that was shared during the noho. Big thanks to marae staff and whānau who assisted the University’s Kōhatu Centre for Hauora Māori in the preparation and execution of our noho. The students that attended loved their time at the marae, as did the staff.

Left to right (Pharmacist) Lisa Kremer: SDHB Liaison Services Registered Nurse Rachel Miller: Hatarei Temo Kaitohutohu Māori Office of Māori Development: SDHB District Manager - Māori Health Directorate Nancy Todd.

Left to right (Pharmacist) Lisa Kremer: SDHB Liaison Services Registered Nurse Rachel Miller: Hatarei Temo Kaitohutohu Māori Office of Māori Development: SDHB District Manager – Māori Health Directorate Nancy Todd.

Te Kura Whaiora o Ōtepoti/The Dunedin School of Medicine - Kōhatu Centre Hauora Māori, fifth year medical students and staff at the noho marae.

Te Kura Whaiora o Ōtepoti/The Dunedin School of Medicine – Kōhatu Centre Hauora Māori, fifth year medical students and staff at the noho marae.