Kahurangi Himiona-Jones
1st-year student, Bachelor of Architecture and Future Environments
She loves that her degree teaches from a te ao Māori point of view, says Kahurangi Himiona-Jones who is studying a Bachelor of Architecture and Future Environments.
“Growing up with a te ao Māori worldview, from kōhanga reo to kura kaupapa, I was surrounded by tikanga and values that shaped the way I see the world. My passion for toi Māori, such as toi ataata, whakairo and kapahaka, gave me a strong creative foundation. I wanted to challenge myself by stepping into something unfamiliar, and I chose this programme because architecture allows me to carry my culture forward in a new space, using design to give back to my people and show how te ao Māori can shape the built environment.
“Architecture at AUT isn’t just about buildings, it’s about acknowledging our ancestors, caring for the environment and creating better spaces for the next generation. It feels familiar, connecting to values like kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga and whakapapa, but it also challenges me. One of my proudest achievements has been doing my mahi in te reo Māori. I’m currently the only student in my degree doing this and, while it has been challenging, it’s been incredibly rewarding to carry my reo through my studies. I hope my mahi encourages more students to do the same.”
She already has a good idea how she sees life after graduation.
“I’d love to work in architecture, either in the industry or with companies like Orua or Generational Kāinga, creating spaces that care for our environment and support future generations. I also want to keep learning and exploring new things along the way. There are so many possibilities, and I’m excited to see where my journey can take me while carrying our values forward.”
Supporting people and their ideas
Kahurangi says she wouldn’t hesitate to recommend AUT to other students.
“I chose AUT because I wanted to study somewhere that values people and their ideas. Friends had told me that AUT is a place where students aren’t treated like numbers, and that stood out to me. I felt it would be the right environment to grow my creativity, challenge myself and bring my passion for te ao Māori into architecture. AUT is a good university with a variety of support systems. They help you challenge yourself, try new things and grow while feeling supported along the way.
“What I’ve enjoyed most about student life is having a home away from home with friends I love and who share the same goals. We push and support each other, learning and growing together through whanaungatanga. At the same time, I’ve had a taste of independence, figuring out new challenges and experiences on my own.”
She is grateful for the support she has received from AUT’s Te Pou Māori, her course leader, tutors and peer mentor.
“They check in on me, encourage me to use my reo and guide me in architecture. Their guidance has meant a lot to me throughout my studies. I’m also grateful to have received an AUT Accommodation Scholarship – Office of Māori Advancement to support my accommodation, which has enabled me to focus on my learning and continue achieving my goals. This is significant to me because it allows me to embrace my culture and reo, make an impact in architecture and create possibilities for future generations, while also acknowledging those before me, my tupuna. I’m truly grateful.”
Advice for other students
While she is still in the early stages of her degree, Kahurangi already has some great advice for other students.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. Take the leap, and do it even if you’re scared and keep going. Trust yourself, lean on the people around you and keep moving forward. Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū (feel the fear and do it anyway)!”
She certainly knows what she is talking about, after taking a big leap herself by moving from Whakatāne to Auckland for her studies.
“One of the biggest challenges for me was moving from a small town to Auckland. Being away from my whānau and figuring out uni life was a lot, and learning to manage my time and workload took some getting used to. I’ve had heaps of support from Te Pou Māori, my tutors and my Māori group, Titahi ki Tua. Through those connections and whakawhanaungatanga, I’ve felt supported, learned a lot, and the whole transition was much easier.”
