Te Whare W膩nanga o Waitaha | 成人大片 (UC) has been recognised with the national 2024 Te Whatu Kairangi Kaupapa M膩ori Award,鈥疉ko Aotearoa, announced today.鈥
A Senior Lecturer Above the Bar in UC鈥檚 Aotahi School of M膩ori and Indigenous Studies, Dr Borell incorporates his passions for sport and te ao M膩ori into his teaching, seamlessly weaving through disciplines of Arts, Law, and Health. 鈥
Recognising the need for a study pathway for M膩ori students pursuing sporting careers in M膩ori communities, Dr Borell combined his expertise in sport, whakaaro M膩ori (M膩ori thinking) and te ao M膩ori to develop 鈥Te Ao H膩kinakina鈥, a new UC Health major focused on M膩ori sport.鈥
鈥淚 spent the last few years working on Te Ao H膩kinakina major with other members of the Faculty of Health to provide a pathway for our young M膩ori who want to do a sports degree but also want to be connected into their language and whakapapa.鈥濃
Dr Borell leads a course on Te Tiriti o Waitangi which contributes to M膩ori and Indigenous Studies, Criminal Justice and Social Work degrees, as well as degrees majoring in Sociology, History, and Cultural Studies.鈥
Dr Borell was initially surprised he could bring his values and interests into his academic career. 鈥淚 never anticipated that my professional journey would converge at a university, centred around two of the most significant influences in my life 鈥 sport and te ao M膩ori (the M膩ori worldview),鈥 Dr Borell says.鈥
鈥淚 am guided by kaupapa M膩ori principles in all roles of life, whether that鈥檚 as a senior lecturer, a rugby league coach, an equity-focused small business owner, or a husband.鈥
鈥淎t Aotahi School of M膩ori and Indigenous Studies, we thrive on getting students to think critically about how te ao M膩ori, m膩tauranga M膩ori (M膩ori knowledge) and te reo M膩ori not just fit into modern society but actually can enhance society,鈥 he says.鈥
鈥淥ur role as a teacher is not just that of an educator but also of a kaitiaki (guardian). We have many students from kura kaupapa M膩ori coming to university, and it鈥檚 essential that they can be assessed in te reo M膩ori and have te ao M膩ori perspectives integrated into their degrees, no matter their field of study.鈥濃
Dr Borell was awarded the University鈥檚 highest award for teaching excellence, the 2023 UC Teaching Medal. His impressive streak of teaching success reaches new heights with the prestigious Ako Aotearoa national award. 鈥
鈥淧hil is an outstanding teacher, fuelled by his inspiring passion and dedication to meet the needs of our 膩konga and transforming bicultural education. He really lives the values of the University and this recognition of his hard mahi is well deserved,鈥 Professor Watson says, Amo Matua, Toi Tangata | Executive Dean of Arts. 鈥
celebrate outstanding tertiary educators who are making a difference to learners, their wh膩nau and communities.鈥
鈥淚 think it is just so exciting to see opportunities where te ao M膩ori and Kaupapa M膩ori approaches to teaching are celebrated. In a time where it can be seen as divisive to celebrate our uniqueness as M膩ori, I am very proud that UC nominated me for this award and embraces the beauty of our culture and pedagogical distinctiveness. It is an honour to have my teaching, which is so grounded in being authentically me, recognised at a national level. It really means a lot. I hope that other M膩ori rangatahi can be inspired to be themselves and know that good things can come from it,鈥 Dr Borell says.听听
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 - Quality Education.
