2023 graduate Dakota Stokes says her experiences in te ao Māori at Rolleston College guided her decision to continue on her haerenga te reo Māori, and she's branching out into other kaupapa including Māori health, culture and identity.

"Engaging with Ako Haemata, the kapa haka rōpū and all areas of te ao Māori definitely influenced the pathway I've chosen."

Dakota is enrolled at the University of Canterbury, studying towards a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in te reo Māori and psychology.

"I experienced the UC halls through the Takere scholarship in January. This opportunity allowed me to meet other Pacific and Māori ākonga and complete a paper before the academic year started," she says.

"I loved being immersed in the culture [at Rolleston College] and being surrounded by other ākonga who felt the same. This was one of the reasons I applied for the Takere scholarship."

Once she's finished her bachelor's degree, Dakota aims to complete a postgraduate diploma in secondary teaching.

"In the future, I would like to give back to my community by supporting rangatahi in their journey learning about the Māori culture and also through high school in general," she says.

Reflecting on her time at Rolleston College, Dakota says the only thing she might change would be her perspective.

"My advice is to take it as an opportunity to find how you study and learn best, and which topics you enjoy – but make the most out of it. Kei ō ringaringa te ao.

Take advantage of all the opportunities available, they will only teach you more than what you think you already know."