This article was originally published by Massey University.

From sporting medals to academic achievements, Massey ākonga showcased their talents and success in science, sport, and Māori during a recent visit from Her Excellency Ms Iona Thomas, British High Commissioner to New Zealand.

The visit opened with a mihi whakatau led by Associate Professor Hone Morris, Ngāi Te Rangitotohu, Ngāti Mārau, Ngāti Maru, Ngāi Te Ao Kāpiti, and during whakawhanaungatanga, students and staff shared their backgrounds, whakapapa, and reflections on ties between iwi and Britain that continue to shape relationships today.

Professor Dame Farah Palmer, Pou Ākonga Māori Student Success, Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato said the visit demonstrated Massey’s distinctive approach to combining tikanga Māori, academic excellence, and global engagement.

“Welcoming Her Excellency through tikanga Māori allowed our ākonga to express their identities while sharing their academic and sporting successes. It was a meaningful way to connect Aotearoa New Zealand with Britain through people and culture.”

The visit provided a chance both for ākonga from Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University to present their work across science and Māori ākonga initiatives directly to a senior diplomat; while allowing the British High Commissioner a chance to learn about student success programmes at Massey and the impact they have, as well as visit New Zealand’s only veterinary school to learn about its recent expansion and student focused learning initiatives.

Professor Eloise Jillings, Ngāti Maru Hauraki, spoke to Her Excellency the High Commissioner about VetMAP which is a pathway programme established in 2020 to support Māori and Indigenous Pacific student study of veterinary science. VetMAP celebrated its first cohort of graduates in May earlier this year.

Aliya Allen Ngāti Awa, Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui, Ngāti Hinga, Ngāti Tuaho, Te Waka-a-Maui, is in her second year of a Bachelor of Veterinary Science, and Iris Ronald Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Te Wehi, Waikato, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipapa, Te Uri o Hau, Ngāpuhi, Rarotonga, who is studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology and Te Reo Māori presented their study journey . Both were recipients of Te Ihorei Scholarships from Pūhoro - a programme focused on improving rangatahi engagement in Science, Technology and Engineering and recognising the connection Mātauranga Māori has with STEMM. Arthur Wickham (Master of Earth Science) and Florence Wassenberg who is on an exchange from the University of Edinburgh studying Geology also discussed the benefits of studying at Massey from an international perspective.

“The visit was an important opportunity to highlight the depth of student talent at Massey. Her Excellency’s genuine interest in the journey of our ākonga reflects the strength of our global connections and the value of preparing graduates to thrive here in Aotearoa New Zealand and on the world stage,” says Professor Dame Farah.

Athletes Alyssa Shepherd who is studying towards a double Bachelor of Business and Science and Georgia Wheeler who is studying Veterinary Science described how the Massey University Academy of Sport Programme is supporting them to balance their sport and study aspirations. They proudly displayed medals and trophies they won at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China as members of the New Zealand Women’s Canoe Polo team.

The High Commissioner highlighted some UK opportunities available to New Zealanders, including the prestigious Chevening Scholarships for fully funded postgraduate study and the Youth Mobility Scheme, which allows young people aged 18–35 to live and work in the UK for up to two years. Both pathways align with Massey’s commitment to fostering global citizenship and encouraging students to broaden their international horizons.

Her Excellency was accompanied by Frazer MacDiarmid, Lead Trade Policy Advisor, and Connor Duggan, Communications Officer from the British High Commission.

From left to right – Prof. Farah Palmer (ODVCM), Pūhoro rangatahi Aliya Allen (VetMAP student), Her Excellency, Ms Iona Thomas (BHC), Prof. Eloise Jillings (Tāwharau Ora) , and Frazer MacDiarmid (Lead Trade Policy Advisor, BHC).

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