Alix
(Ng膩ti Ranginui, Ng膩i Te Rangi)
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Bachelor of Arts majoring in听M膩ori & Indigenous Studies
Hometown: Christchurch
Why did you choose M膩ori & Indigenous Studies?
As a M膩ori myself, it鈥檚 something I鈥檓 passionate about. I鈥檇 really like to听work with the M膩ori community and give back to my people. If my people听aren't thriving, I'm not thriving.
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Did you receive any first-year scholarships?
The Takere scholarship enabled me to stay in the halls for five weeks prior听to starting uni. I got to live on campus, learn the uni system, and made a听heap of friends. It was a great opportunity to ease the transition. I also听received the UC Hiranga scholarship.听
UC M膩ori hold scholarship sessions where they offer all kinds of support听for students looking to apply for scholarships. It鈥檚 really helpful, and I听highly recommend using it.
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What鈥檚 been your favourite part of your time at UC?
The highlight so far has been the connections I鈥檝e made through my听scholarships, not only with my cohort, but also with all the other UC M膩ori听staff and the Pacific Development Team. We have scholarship-related听events throughout the year and it's nice to see their faces on a regular听basis.
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Speaking of UC M膩ori, what role have they played in your uni experience?
I had met some UC M膩ori staff through high school visits and the Aukaha programme. It made the transition way easier, and it was a big source of comfort knowing I already had a space where people knew who I was.
UC M膩ori is really special to me because their presence and support lets me be unapologetically M膩ori. It鈥檚 not just a surface level relationship. They support me throughout everything, and it makes it feel like home.
I spend most of my time in Te Ao Marama, where UC M膩ori is based. I like studying there, and it鈥檚 where I have my weekly hui with my Kaiurungi. It鈥檚 a really nice environment to be in. It's a good vibe.
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Have you found it easy to make friends at UC?
I found my people in UC M膩ori, and it鈥檚 made me feel super comfortable and at ease. There are so many ways to meet people. I would recommend joining clubs because they鈥檙e a great way to connect with people that are interested in the same thing is you.
It鈥檚 easy to find your people here. There are so many students, from all walks of life, that you鈥檒l be able to find your community.
Do you use any UC resources for academic support?
I highly recommend the Academic Skills Centre 鈥 they鈥檙e so helpful. They have dedicated people for different faculties. They鈥檒l check your work, but they also provide workshops and consultations for things like essay tips, how to do references, and all those little things that improve your work.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I started doing kapa haka when I was seven, and I鈥檝e been doing it ever since. After leaving kura I joined Te Ahikaaroa, a local kapa haka roopu, and I absolutely love it. Kapa haka has always been around me, and it's something that just instantly makes me feel better.
Through things like kapa haka and other M膩ori events or kaupapa throughout the year, it's normal to see people from campus or UC M膩ori around Christchurch, and it's nice to have people from my uni life in my home life as well.
What do you like about living in Christchurch?
I love swimming in the summer, especially at Corsair Bay. It鈥檚 probably the best place to swim in Christchurch because it's just beautiful. It鈥檚 like its own little private bay with a place you can jump off, and a pontoon and grassy area.
How have you seen yourself grow since you started at UC?
I've grown academically, but I've also improved as a person. I鈥檓 so听confident now, and I love it here. It was never an option to study听anywhere else because UC seemed like the most obvious choice. No听regrets!
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Any words of advice for other students considering UC?
Even if you're not from here, you will find a community that you fit in with. It's going to be fun, and sometimes a little scary, but you鈥檙e going to be alright if you come to UC.
