Rate My Professor Tahnee Te Kanawa

Tahnee Te Kanawa serves as Assistant Programme Co-ordinator at Te Huka Mātauraka, the Māori Centre at the University of Otago, situated at 519 Castle Street North, Dunedin. Known also as Kaituitui Mātauraka Tuarua and Kaiwhakahaere Tari, she contributes to the operational and programmatic aspects of the centre, which acts as a familial support network for Māori students, akin to uncles and aunties guiding them through their academic journey. The centre's kaimahi, including Tahnee Te Kanawa, provide essential services to foster student success, encompassing academic coordination, supplementary tutoring, mentoring initiatives, counselling, chaplaincy, and community liaison efforts. Her administrative role supports these functions, ensuring smooth delivery of programmes tailored to Māori tauira needs across various divisions of the university.

In the academic tutoring programme, Tahnee Te Kanawa assists as Assistant Administrator and Programme Co-ordinator, facilitating expert supplementary tutorials for first- and second-year Māori students in a wide range of subjects and papers. These sessions create a supportive whānau learning environment, promoting academic achievement and integration into Te Huka Mātauraka support networks. The centre coordinates mentoring programmes such as Kā Rikarika o Tāne, aimed at enhancing educational and cultural outcomes for male Māori students. Additional supports include registered counsellors for mental health, a Māori chaplain available on Mondays, and community officers handling school outreach and programmes like Hands on Otago. Divisional Māori student advisors collaborate with centre staff to extend support throughout the Divisions of Health Sciences, Humanities, and Sciences. As a Takata Tiriti kaimahi, Tahnee Te Kanawa helps build inclusive structures for Māori student wellbeing. Reception at +64 3 479 8490 connects directly to her support services.