The journeys of six ākonga Māori (Māori learners) forging a path in higher education have been brought together in Our Sacred Māori Voices, a book which was officially launched this week in Ōtepoti (Dunedin).
The publication showcases the early-years experiences of six Otago Polytechnic ākonga “growing up and being Māori”, told in their own words.
![Our Sacred Māori Voices book cover. Photo / Amber Bridgman / Otago Polytechnic](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/BHYBGG5HEJERNJIMGPMPY656MU.jpg?auth=62b056cef8bfec1b40f9f500ef743bfc4a153a79bece3d2b4f587b90a85aa6fa&width=16&height=27&quality=70&smart=true)
From different backgrounds and places in Aotearoa, Tracy Te Wake (Ngāti Hāua Ki Taumarunui, Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ko Ngāti Apa, Ko Ngā Wairiki), Keri Ropiha (Ngāti Kahungunu), Bobbi-Jo Clark-Heu (Waikato Tainui), Kera Baker (Ngāi Tahu), Kim Gotlieb (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu) and Scout River Barbour-Evans (Ngāti Kahungunu Ki Te Wairoa) each share their personal stories.
“We learnt to read the clouds, the wind and the birds as signs that a change was imminent,” says Kera Baker, as she tells her story in the book.