Affectionately known as a ‘wānanga baby,’ Ripekka Matthews has a connection to Te Wānanga o Aotearoa that began more than 20 years ago, when she was just a child.

Her first memories of the organisation are shaped by her mother, who worked there and helped lay the foundation for Ripekka’s passion for mātauranga Māori.

“I grew up around the kaupapa. It wasn’t just something my mum did, it was something that shaped our whole whānau,” she says.

In 2016, Ripekka took her first step into formal study with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, enrolling in the Certificate in Small Business which ignited her hunger for personal and professional growth.

In 2020, she returned to study Te Pūtaketanga o Te Reo, followed by Te Rōnakitanga ki te Reo Kairangi in 2021 and Te Aupikitanga ki te Reo Kairangi in 2024.

Each programme represented more than academic achievement, it was a journey of connection with te reo Māori and her cultural identity, and a continuation of her commitment to her tūpuna, her whānau, and future generations.

“It’s been a long journey, one filled with aroha, wero, and growth. But I wouldn’t be where I am today without Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. They’ve been part of my story from the beginning.”

Now in 2025, Ripekka is studying Te Pīnakitanga ki te Reo Kairangi, which she says has been both a profound challenge and a deeply rewarding experience.

“It has stretched the boundaries of my comfort zone in the most transformative ways, affirming that growth and self-discovery often emerge from moments of discomfort. The fruits of this commitment are now blossoming within my whānau, where te reo Māori proudly stands as the first language spoken to my son.”

Ripekka plans to continue her journey with te reo Māori and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, to deepen her connection to both her cultural heritage and personal identity.

From a child watching her mother serve the kaupapa to a woman living and breathing it, Ripekka is the embodiment of the vision of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, ‘whānau transformation through education.’

Find out more about our reo Māori (language) programmes.