MIT students (L-R) Elalio Tukuhaukara, Ngutu Lata, Albury Teau, Nahora Ioane and Moe Laga are thrilled MIT hosted this year’s queer hui. Manukau Institute of Technology staff and student leaders are hopeful hosting the Queers in Tertiary Education Hui has sent a message of acceptance to students, in a community where lgbt people are “under-represented”. Last month’s event was the first time a lgbt community tertiary education hui has ever been held in South Auckland. It explored a range of topics focusing on celebrating diversity and discussing the common social norms which prevent growth in the lgbt community. Open to both academics and students, the day-long event saw presentations from Massey University Associate Professor Mark Henrickson, George Washington University Associate Director Timothy Kane and Manukau City artist Tanu Gago. MIT Head of School of Social Services John Hancox says South Auckland has the potential to be the melting pot of New Zealand but to achieve this, the lgbt community must have a place. “We have academics from all around New Zealand joining us at this hui and they will be able to take the ideas we discussed back to their home towns and implement them,” he said. “Hosting this hui at MIT sends a message of acceptance to our students and shows that here you can be in a safe place and eliminate that feeling of isolation.” MIT Student Executive Voice member and Communication Studies student Elalio Tukuhaukara thinks the lgbt community is under-represented in South Auckland. “But at the same time it is very prominent and is viewed as more acceptable now,” he says. An lgbt group at MIT is in its early stages, but Tukuhaukara hopes to create a space for people to feel appreciated for who they are, find support and just have fun. “This hui has been really important for MIT because it is allowing staff and students to come together to learn new things, share ideas and celebrate how far we’ve come.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 4th March 2014 - 9:39am