Maori power couple graduate together at MIT

Monday, 05 June 2007

Maori power couple graduate together at MIT

It was standing room only at Nga Kete Wananga Marae in Otara when husband and wife Te Tuhi and Muriel Kelly graduated together from Manukau Institute of Technology. Some of the couple’s eight children were on hand to watch as their parents launch themselves into the next enterprise in their industrious lives.
With Te Tuhi now qualified with a Master of Business Administration and Muriel having earned a graduate diploma in Human Resource Management, the pair are in the throes of establishing their own business. TMK Business Solutions Ltd will focus on Maori business development.

“This is a long-held dream,” says Te Tuhi. “There’s a gap in the market with relatively few Maori working in Human Resources at a level where they can add value through the uniqueness of being Maori. We want to help businesses take an HR concept and grow it. We’ll be looking at general HR issues as well as focussing on governance, small business mentoring and the development of strategic and business plans.

“A lot of people don’t understand their own businesses and get charged an arm and a leg when they get someone else to draw up their business plan. Both of us are well networked and we’ll go to wherever the work is. We are going to be a one-stop-shop.”

That shop might soon be employing their son who is currently finishing a business degree while a daughter is completing a degree in civil engineering. “We’ve always told the children that you have more control and more choices in life if you have an education,” says Muriel. “We are being role models for our children and whanau.”

The Manurewa couple, who are “proud to be South Aucklanders”, pursued courses that complement each other and are both continuing with further study. Muriel will pursue a Bachelor of Laws while Te Tuhi will work towards a doctorate of Business Administration at MIT.

Te Tuhi, who is of Ngati Mahuta and Ngati Pukenga ki Whangarei, acknowledges that the staff at MIT made it easy for him to be organised. “Our children range in age from nine to 32 so there are always extended whanau issues to deal with but that is also very motivating. The institute was always very forthcoming with information so I could just focus on the work. If ever I had a spare five or 10 minutes I would sit down and read or jot down notes.”

Muriel, who is of Ngai Tumapuhia-a-rangi hapu of Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, began her diploma as a correspondence student but transferred to MIT because she missed the people interaction in the classroom.

“I’m a talker so I really need to study alongside others and I also like the supportive culture of Counties Manukau. The MIT course links to the practical side of business and workplaces, and I’m passionate about encouraging businesses to work with their people in a positive way.”
Muriel will remain in her role at Maori Women’s Development Inc until November when she will join the business full time.

Te Tuhi and Muriel graduated at MIT’s formal Maori Graduate Ceremony on Wednesday, 30 May at Nga Kete Wananga Marae.

ENDS

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