A few weeks into the semester, and the pace has already picked up for Te Rito. Between fresher flu outbreaks, the tamest St. Paddy’s Day of the decade, and the slow disappearance of week-one motivation, TRM has been doing its part to keep things interesting. Naturally, there are a few things worth talking about.
Something Spicy
First up: the recent Special General Meeting.
SGMs have a reputation, and this one delivered exactly what you’d expect – a packed room, some very direct questions, and a few moments where the temperature climbed in the whare, just a little. Under the Constitution, these hui are when proposed amendments are voted on, financial decisions are confirmed, and the direction of TRM kaupapa is properly worked through.
Funding decisions were where things warmed up properly, with proposed cuts and adjustments prompting the kind of kōrero where people start leaning forward and asking the questions everyone was thinking anyway. In terms of outcomes, the main focus landed around reregistration, constitutional amendments, and topping up the operational budget from the investment line – not the flashiest headline, but definitely the kind of mahi that shapes how things run moving forward and keeps the whare door open.
When tauira show up, ask questions, and push the conversation, that’s when these spaces actually mean something.
Something Sweet
Away from the hui, things have been rolling along nicely on the social side, too.
Social sports are back for the semester, and there’s already been a good mix of returning players and completely new faces jumping in. Between basketball and waiata practice, dinners with the halls have been another highlight for Te Rito in particular. These nights are always a simple but effective way of bringing us closer to new tauira Māori on the scene who might not usually wander into the whare.
Back at the whare, study wānanga (known as “study sesh”) mentioned a few weeks back has officially kicked off, and, as expected, they’ve settled in nicely – kai on the table, books open (eventually), and a solid mix of productivity and catching up happening in the same room. Whether you’re deep in assignments or just trying to get started without immediately getting distracted, the setup makes it a whole lot easier. That said, there’s always room for more. The door’s open, the kai helps, and no one’s checking how much you actually got done – just that you showed up. Which, for some people, is already an improvement.
Still Cookin’
Between the sweet and the spicy, there are a few things still simmering.
If you’ve caught the tono making its way around, this is one of those kaupapa that’s likely to come together quickly once people start showing up. There are plans underway to build a refreshed presence on the University’s waiata page, and Te Rōpū Māori are looking for more tauira to step in and be part of it. Whether you’re a seasoned powerhouse or just someone who knows the words well enough to hold your own, there’s space for you here – no audition necessary. In fact, most of the waiata are iwi anthems, so the focus isn’t on polishing every note (that comes later), but about participation. So, if you haven’t made it along to much this year, this wouldn’t be a bad place to start. Low commitment, high visibility – do with that what you will.
Alongside that, Kai & Kōrero is heating up. Running fortnightly at the TRM whare, it’s open to all levels – Māori and non-Māori alike – which keeps things low-pressure by design: just kōrero, kai (surprise!), and a chance to keep your reo Māori flowing. Sitting on the off-weeks between Study Wānanga, it’s an easy one to fold into your routine. Consider this your way in.
Safe to say the kitchen’s busy.
That’s what we’ve pulled from the pātaka this week. Kia pai te kai.
