Rate My Professor Tama Walker

Tama Walker serves as the Kaitakawaenga Māori, or Māori Community Liaison Officer, at Te Huka Mātauraka, the Māori Centre of the University of Otago. Affiliated with Ngāti Porou, he is often the first point of contact for schools and prospective Māori students, facilitating school visits and providing detailed information on key outreach programmes such as Hands on Otago, On Campus Experience, and Mana Pounamu awards. Based at 519 Castle Street North in Dunedin, Walker supports tauira Māori throughout their academic journey, offering guidance on scholarships and other opportunities to ensure their success at the university. His role emphasizes building connections with communities, whānau, and educational institutions to encourage Māori participation in higher education.

Prior to his current position, Walker was associated with Otago Polytechnic, where he completed a Graduate Diploma in Applied Science specializing in Performance Analysis in 2017 as an adult learner while working as the Dunedin Cricket Development Officer for the Otago Cricket Association. He has also contributed to sports administration, serving as convenor of the selection panel for the SBS Bank Otago Sparks women's cricket team in 2022. Additionally, Walker co-presented at the ANZSSA 2025 pre-conference symposium alongside Michelle Taiaroa on 'Ka mate kāinga tahi, ka ora kāinga rua: A Model of Indigenous Student Support' from Te Huka Mātauraka. His community involvement extends to serving as a parent representative on the board of Trinity Catholic College in 2023. Through these efforts, Walker plays a vital role in fostering indigenous student success and cultural support within the University of Otago environment.