Grab a kawhe, or a tī, and let’s kōrero about your future. 

 

So as your designated uncle, I feel it’s appropriate to discuss your future plans and possibilities of what you might want to achieve post-tertiary education. As someone a couple of years out of study (and 7ish years since I got to this place), I want to talk about what’s okay and what’s not about planning your successes as a contributing member of Aotearoa. Take your place in the world, the absolute gist of this editorial, and what I’m trying to say. There’s so much pressure for a better tomorrow, a better group of tauira to change the future. What the fuck cunt, why are we putting pressure on some late-teens and 20-somethings? Sure, there’s change we can evoke, decisions that’ll affect things for the better, but it’s a lot of tasks to fall upon the shoulders of tauira already struggling to keep their chin above the bustling waves of newfound responsibility, and freedom. 

 

But, if you are so inclined to be a fighter for a better future, there’s a place for those who are natural leaders and trend-setters. You can go out and picket climate action, you can find yourself balls deep in a debate with a racist, or you can take control of your own narrative. E mara, this is the place to fucking do it. 

 

As some of you may have seen, there’s an election running for the WSU board of directors and President. This is YOUR chance to have a say in what makes being a student fucking great. Like a lot of staff at WSU, I’m multi-faceted and I’m always getting out and trying to involve myself in events and doing what I can. So I can safely say it’s a fucking amazing place to work and to be involved with. So why wouldn’t you apply? Head to wsu.org.nz to get involved.

 

To come back to offering some advice, uni is fucking hard and no one is going to take that from you. It’s going to be mentally testing and you’re constantly going to second guess everything. I’ve been guilty of making so many degree changes, that I must own fucking stocks in the student enrollement department. There’s been cusps of becoming a doctor, an architect, and everything in between. I’m now post-grad and I’m still not certain of my career path or what my next year entails, but it’s so much more fun that way. Plans exist to keep you on track. They’re not there to derail your growth through spontaneity though; don’t let your perfection be the demise of your creativity.

 

I know, for me, that I have my tūpuna look down on me with aroha and mana as I carry on the legacy. Hei mokopuna ahau mā rātou. And for you, I’m sure all the pieces will fall into place if you let them — so just fucking let them. As your illegitimate Mātua Kēkē, I need to make one thing clear: life isn’t going to right the path for you, you have to clear that shit and make your own way. There’s some people that’ll help you along the way, but it’s up to you to create a vision for yourself. Be realistic and set expectations you can reach. Also, just go out and meet your friends for a pia sometimes. Kō o hoa to whānau, treat them as such.