Study at Aotahi, UC

05/10/2026

We are pleased to announce that Jen Alexandra, tutor extraordinaire for Aotahi (and Fine Arts), has successfully defended her PhD. She’s done a brilliant job and is the first graduate of a Creative Practice PhD at UC. She had glowing comments from her examiners, and the PhD is definitely testament to her hard work. Her supervisors were Dr Barb Garrie, Professor Carl Mika and Dr John Vea.

18/09/2026

Congratulations to Masters of Writing student and Aotahi tutor Tia McCallum (Ngāi Tahu) whose work appears in Emergence - an anthology of creative writing recently published by Canterbury University Press. Tia's short story "Milk Teeth" is a great read - you can purchase the book at the University Book Shop or online here: https://www.nationwidebooks.co.nz/product/Emergence
Awesome mahi, Tia!

22/08/2026

Congratulations to Kirsten Featherstone (Tainui, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa) who recently passed her PhD confirmation with flying colours. Kirsten's project considers the ways in which Māori creatives engage with ancestral narratives, and focuses on the realm of the unseen within these narratives and engagements. Kirsten's supervisors Kirsty Dunn and Carl Mika would like to thank Madi Williams for her thorough assessment of Kirsten's proposal and the helpful feedback provided. Ka nui te mihi ki a koe, Kirsten! This is a great achievement on your PhD haerenga. We look forward to seeing where your research takes you!

17/08/2026

"This week we are lucky to have Tracey Hepi as a guest lecturer for students taking MAOR207 Indigilit - Indigenous Literature in Aotearoa and Beyond. Tracey shared some of her recently completed PhD research on Oceanic Futurism drawing on the work of Ani Mikaere, Gina Cole, Grace Dillon and Niigaan Sinclair. She will also be leading a close-reading workshop for students on Wednesday. This has been a great opportunity for students to hear cutting-edge research. Ka nui te mihi ki a koe, Tracey."

11/08/2026

The whānau at Aotahi would like to congratulate Dr Phil Borell and the Eastern Eagles premier men on winning the Canterbury Rugby League men's premiership and the Pat Smith trophy for the first time in 45 years.

Dr Phil is a proud league man and has built his research portfolio around the game he loves. If he's not on campus, he's probably running around Hampshire Park getting these men fit; enjoy the off-season doc.

20/07/2026

20 July 2026 – a day to remember.

Today, Aotahi whānau who happened to be on campus and not teaching gathered with Professor Jeanette King, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts, to officially welcome Dr Teena Henderson as our new Head of School.

It seemed the right thing to do, to simply acknowledge this special milestone and celebrate someone we know, respect and are absolutely thrilled to have leading our school.

Here’s to an exciting new chapter. Nau mai, haere mai, Teena – we’re so pleased you’re at the helm of Aotahi.

20/07/2026

Aotahi warmly acknowledges Professor Carl Mika and thanks him for his leadership and service as Head of School. We recognise the care, thought, and commitment he has brought to the role and to the kaupapa of Aotahi.
We also welcome Teena Henderson as the incoming Head of School. As we move through this transition, we look forward to continuing to strengthen Aotahi’s teaching, research, relationships, and collective mahi.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koe Carl, ā, nau mai ki te tumuaki kura hou.

16/07/2026

Congratulations to Dinnie Moeahu who was confirmed as a PhD candidate at Aotahi UC yesterday. Thanks to the Independent Assessor Hamuera Kahi & Confirmation Chair Teena Henderson. We wish Dinnie & his PhD supervisors Dr Phil Borell & Dr Madi Davidson all the best.

08/05/2026

One of my SuperStars

Meet the author ✨

Madi Williams (Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Kōata, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Rangitāne o Wairau) is a senior lecturer at Aotahi – School of Māori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Canterbury, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha. She completed her doctorate on Ngāti Kuia in 2021 at the University of Canterbury and is the author of Polynesia, 900–1600: An Overview of the History of Aotearoa, Rēkohu, and Rapa Nui (Canterbury University Press, 2021). She is currently working on a book on taniwha with Dr Kirsty Dunn.

Her latest book, 𝗡𝗴𝗮̄𝘁𝗶 𝗞𝘂𝗶𝗮: 𝗛𝗲 𝗣𝘂̄𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲, 𝗛𝗲𝗶 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗢𝗿𝗮 | 𝗔 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, will be published by Auckland University Press on 11 June.

Photo: Melissa Banks

08/05/2026

Kātahi rā koe Maddi!

Meet the author ✨

Madi Williams (Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Kōata, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Rangitāne o Wairau) is a senior lecturer at Aotahi – School of Māori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Canterbury, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha. She completed her doctorate on Ngāti Kuia in 2021 at the University of Canterbury and is the author of Polynesia, 900–1600: An Overview of the History of Aotearoa, Rēkohu, and Rapa Nui (Canterbury University Press, 2021). She is currently working on a book on taniwha with Dr Kirsty Dunn.

Her latest book, 𝗡𝗴𝗮̄𝘁𝗶 𝗞𝘂𝗶𝗮: 𝗛𝗲 𝗣𝘂̄𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲, 𝗛𝗲𝗶 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗢𝗿𝗮 | 𝗔 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, will be published by Auckland University Press on 11 June.

Photo: Melissa Banks