Born and raised in Te Awamutu, the 48-year-old started studying at Massey via distance in 1995. Now living in Whirinaki in Northland, Bronwyn-Ann says she is most grateful for her whānau who were her best support.
After 12 years of active part-time study, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in May.
In her own words, Bronwyn-Ann shares her journey
1995 - To utilise my time as a stay at home māmā with my two babies Mekayla and Awatea, I took one paper through Massey University - Te Reo Māori. My studies towards a Bachelor of Arts (Humanities) had begun.
1996 - Haere mai creation number three – the birth of our son Hirini.
1996 - 2000 - Neke toku whānau ki Whirinaki (moved my family to Whirinaki). A few more babies arrive, Jasmine in 1997, Bronwyn-Jacquiline in 1998 and Potiki in 2000. Then there were six!
During this time, I didn’t study for five years. Whirinaki Kohanga Reo became my whare wānanga for a season. Definitely a favourite part of my life with my babies reflecting on it now.
2001 - Switched study to a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Primary. Smashed out six papers that year while being wifey and māmā to our six creations.
2002 - I taemai a Maioha, along came baby number seven. Only two papers studied this year - pretty hectic life with a new born and six other babies to tend to.
Funny memory – did I ever leave tamariki behind when going places? Yes! One time hubby was Pihopa (Bishop) for Te Peka o Opononi and had left early for hahi (church) as hahi leaders were visiting that day. I arrive later with our babies. Usually I count off the kids but didn’t that day. Get to church and hubby looks at me funny when we walk into whare karakia. I wonder why and only then realise a child is missing, left at home on the wharepaku. I was about to go get her and she walks in with whānau. Little girl had run to an aunties whare knowing they left for church later then us and caught a ride. She was all of five, maybe younger!
2003 - 2005 - No study for three years. Tino pukumahi au i tērā wa (I was very busy at the time). My seven babies and Kohanga Reo were my life as well as admin for our company and admin for Kura Kaupapa Hokianga. Creation number eight arrives in 2005, Roimata.
2006 - 2009 - I switch my studies to a Bachelor of Accountancy. Four papers studied in the four years. Cool knowledge gained to help with our company book keeping and my mahi as financial admin for Kura Hokianga. 2008 sees baby number nine arrive, Miss Kauoro.
2010 - 2011 - No study – neke ki Kirikiriroa (moved to Hamilton), busy life adjusting to towny living.
2012 - Switch to Bachelor of Arts Education – one paper studied. Baby number 10 also arrives in October, Herekiaterangi. We move back to Whirinaki at the end of 2012.
2013 - No study! Enjoying my new bubba. Our number last.
2014 - One paper studied.
2015 - Two papers studied – Waitangi and colonisation papers. Tender on the ngakau (heart). My desire to korero Māori more ignited here.
2016 - 2019 - Four year study break – whānau first – church service missions and university prepping, kids, taxi driver for their jobs etcetera.
2020 - Five papers studied - Two of them Māori papers to piki (lift) my reo.
2021 - Four papers studied - Three Māori papers - tino hiakai au ki te kōrero – my desire to speak Māori is strong.
My study journey comes full circle - my first ever paper was Te Reo way back in 1995 and my studies end with Te Reo.
I am now studying towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching at Te Whare Wānanga o Raukawa and will graduate and walk the stage again this December alongside my fifth child Bronwyn who completes her three year teachers training with Raukawa also.
My third and seventh children have degrees from Brigham Young University of Hawaii (Social Work, Pacific Island Studies), and Te Whare Wānanga o Raukawa (Mātauranga Māori). My first child is in her second year of a Health Science degree at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato and my fourth child has her diploma in Mātauranga Māori. My husband also holds a Diploma in Whakairo, a postgraduate certificate in Māori adult teaching from Waikato University and has a few business papers under his belt.
I finished my degree for my ten children and to show them if I can, they can.
Thank you to my whānau and Massey for all of the support.
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