Hāriata Mann
2nd-year student, Te Tohu Paetahi mō te Hoahoa – Bachelor of Design in Communication Design with a minor in Te Reo Māori
The Māori community at AUT has been the standout experience for her, says Hāriata Mann who is studying communication design as well as te reo Māori.
“I’ve always thrived better when being surrounded and able to collaborate with Māori people. The Māori spaces here at AUT have helped me with that. The support, aroha and awhina have been extremely welcoming. It was one of the reasons why I decided to come to AUT for my studies – I wanted a university that would be supportive of my love of te ao Māori and that has a strong Māori community.”
Recently chosen by Pou Māori – Māori Centre at AUT to create a collection of artworks to celebrate the rise of Matariki, Hāriata is proud to be able to share her love of te ao Māori with others.
“It’s awesome to be able share my perception of what Matariki is through my art. I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity. I believe it’s vital that these Matariki artworks are done by a different artist every year. With Māori coming from different areas, iwi, hapu, upbringings and whānau, we all have a different understanding of what Matariki is and should look like. I hope the posters I’ve created are loved and used well.”
Pursuing her passions
Hāriata says she grew up with an extremely strong love for everything arts.
“My passion for the arts was inspired by my mum. When I was in high school, I found a love for design and felt that it was only right to continue down this journey in my university studies. I chose to study communication design because it’s the hidden language that draws you in without even realising; the art that fills the streets with order, colour and love. I thought it would be awesome to continue my love for art as well as creating a solid foundation for myself in the future.”
As a passionate advocate for te ao Māori, she appreciates being able to include te reo courses as part of her design degree.
“I started learning te reo Māori in high school, and I fell in love with the language, the people and the culture at that point. I learned that learning my language and my culture is what gives me mana. That is a strength that can’t be described; only felt. I wanted to continue the learning journey and to continue to strengthen my mana. Including a minor in te reo as part of my degree was a great way to achieve this.”
Strengthening her love for design
Currently in the second year of her degree, Hāriata says she is loving the hands-on experiences she is having as a design student.
“It’s a great place to collaborate and learn with others, sharing the journey together. I especially love the fact that everybody is extremely open and loving towards my ideas, however they still offer solid and understanding feedback on my designs.”
She wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the communication design degree to others.
“You’ll be surrounded by lecturers who will support you in every way that they can, as well as other students who you will end up loving sharing your journeys with. The facilities that are provided at AUT have strengthened my love for design and for studying. They provide you with everything and anything necessary to help you create whatever your mind comes up with. I like to call it the mixing pot of dreams.”
