8.30 am Karakia at Te Wananga o Aotearoa...

 I've been working at Te Wananga o Aotearoa since 2010 and I must say that there are a lot of things that I have learnt that are very different mainstream universities. One of the main areas that I thought was sadly lacking in mainstream tertiary education was the integration between the spiritual/esoteric values and physical/psychological etc. worldviews.

Here at Te Wananga o Aotearoa, one of the main principles is the belief in a greater good for all people and in a higher celestial being(s)/belief and this is demonstrated in one of the key principles that unites all Te Wananga o Aotearoa campuses of having a joint/united karakia (corporate prayers) every morning between 8.30 am and 9.00 am. In fact, it is probably the only tertiary campus that I know does this in NZ.

At this early morning karakia, songs are sung, before and after, prayers are entered into in different languages, greetings are shared, stories are told, important events are spoken about and visitors are welcomed. It's a special time when everyone can come together and share and then go about their day feeling blessed.

It doesn't mean that everything goes smoothly everyday but there is a sense of unity and working for something that is bigger than ourselves or a salary. Students are also able to come to this special time and over the years I've learnt Maori himene (hymns) and waiata (songs) and have to learn more about the language through whaikorero (speech making).

Definitely, something to consider in those mainstream universities where theories are told as fact, and realities of those in power are imposed upon those who have little say. Definitely a humbling experience for many...