Te Ūranga Waka studies have helped frame Turei Ormsby’s future

Having completed EIT’s Bachelor of Arts (Māori) and Bachelor of Arts Honours (Māori) in just two years, Turei Ormsby is now studying for his doctorate degree.

The 21-year-old aims to be one of the youngest, if not the youngest, to gain a doctorate in Māori studies and his academic ambitions don’t stop there.

“It’s highly possible and probably likely I will be the youngest Māori professor,” he says. “That’s my ultimate goal.”

Of Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Porou descent, Turei started at a total immersion school when he was about eight.

“The kura kaupapa was pretty much where I found my passion to speak Māori,” he says.

During his two years at Hutt Valley High School, Turei was New Zealand’s top scholar in te reo Māori and te reo rangatira. The move to EIT was prompted by a previous association with two senior lecturers at Te Ūranga Waka, Hiria Tumoana and the late Materoa Haenga.

“I have deep whakapapa here,” he says of Hawke’s Bay. “My father and grandmother are from Waipatu marae. I’m definitely proud to be Kahungunu.”

Starting at EIT in 2014, Turei was credited with two years of the bachelor’s degree because of his prior knowledge of te reo Māori. He then gained first class honours for his honours degree.

“I would definitely recommend study to everyone in Kahungunu. We need many more Māori academics, and not just in the field of Māori studies, in any field Te Ūranga Waka studies have helped they feel passionate about.”