Te Roopu Whakakaha Tinana - Physical Education Māori Association (PEMA)

PEMA.jpg

Kia ora koutou katoa,
We are Te Roopu Whakakaha Tinana commonly known as the Physical Education Māori Association (PEMA).

A student-led association and we are in our second year of establishment. Our main objective is to encourage academic excellence of Māori Physical education students by increasing communication between students throughout the year levels.  With an emphasis on Tikanga Māori PEMA is guided by collective values about what it means to be a successful Māori in the School of Physical Education.

Presenting the PEMA executive for 2011

  • Renee Wikaire – Co Tūmuaki, Iwi: Ngãpuhi & Ngāti Whātua, Studying BPhEd (Hons) & BA (Mãori)
  • George Barsdell – Co Tūmuaki, Iwi: Whakatōhea & Ngāti Awa, Studying: BPhEd & BA (Māori) Hons)
  • Erina Bean Tūmuaki Tuarua, Iwi: Ngãpuhi & Te Arawa, Studying: BPhEd & BCom (Marketing & Management)
  • Mitchell Nganeko – Kaituhi, Iwi: Waikato & Taranaki, Studying: BPhEd & BA (Māori)
  • Taryn Slee –Kaitiaki Pūtea, Iwi: Ngāti Awa, Studying: BPhEd & BA (Maori & English)
  • Grace Cooper – Kaiwhakahaere, Iwi: Ngãi Tahu & Te Ati Awa, Studying:BPhEd   
  • Brandon Manuel – Kaiwhakahaere, Iwi: Ngāti Porou, Studying: BPhEd
  • Chelsea Cunningham - Kaiwhakahaere, Iwi: Ngati Kahungunu, Ngãti Tuwharetoa & Ngãi Tahu Studying: BPhEd

Mentoring/Ka rika rika a tãne programmes

In recent months PEMA has helped facilitate mentoring programmes within the University and wider community of the lower South Island. Through avenues such as waka ama, mau rãkau and traditional Mãori games PEMA has been able to help provide younger students with positive role models and showcase potential career pathways.

Mãori Pre-graduation and the School of Physical Education Graduation

In May as a sign of respect, PEMA will engage in the graduation of Māori Physical Education students. At the Māori Pre-graduation ceremony and the Physical Education graduates luncheon, PEMA wll perform waiata and the PE school haka to the graduates. Unique to PE school the ‘Ko taku Mana Haka’ was choreographed by graduate Hamuera Maika.

Nga mahi ã te rēhia – Applied physical education practices

In the second semester PEMA will coordinate Nga mahi ã te rēhia, which is a compulsory introduction course for Physical Education students into tikanga Mãori. Often students first experience with tikanga Mãori, the course is based on a three day weekend. Enveloping waka ama, mau rãkau, kapa haka and a noho marae stay. Throughout the weekend the students are immersed into tikanga Mãori, thus emphasising the importance PE school places on incorporating tikanga Mãori and cultural perspectives into the school.

Other events PEMA are involved in

During the rest of the year PEMA will look to run some exciting events including a PEMA Wānanga, inter roopu sports day, and facilitate Mãori adopting healthy lifestyles by participating in Iron Mãori and the Moro Half Marathon/Marathon events.

If you are interested in any of the activities or would like further information don’t hesitate to contact us at:

Add us as a friend on facebook or pop up to the PEMA office which is above Smithells gym

Alternatively you can send mail to:
Physical Education Māori Association
School of Physical Education
University of Otago
P.O. Box 56
Dunedin
New Zealand

‘Ko te iwi te wairua o te waka, ko te waka te wairua o te iwi’
‘The people are the spirit of the canoe, the canoe is the spirit of the people’

Click thumbnail image for larger view

Updated 12 Apr 2011

University of Otago The School of Physical Education - Te Kura Akoraka Whakakori