FYI

Te Pātaka is the name given to the new student hub that will be located in Puaka-James Hight Library.

Pātaka are storehouses for food, goods, and other valuable resources. Generally, pātaka were raised off the ground, especially those containing preserved meats or dried goods that needed constant air flow. Often intricately carved with symbols representing plenty and abundance, pātaka were often positioned within a village near the dwellings of rangatira within a pā. Pātaka were not only storehouses,  but a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

Sitting within Puaka-James Hight Library, and elevated to the third mezzanine level, Te Pātaka will act as a one-stop-shop of resources for our tauira that will be visible from the moment they enter the library. In alignment with narratives concerning Puaka, Te Pātaka will offer an abundance of resource and nourishment to our tauira throughout the year ensuring they are prepared to succeed and excel throughout their academic journey. 

Kaitoko is the term given to the form and function of student advisors within Te Pātaka.

Kaitoko is compound word, ‘kai’ a prefix denoting human agency over the verb that follows, and ‘toko’, meaning to support, prop up, erect, and uplift amongst other meanings. Kaitoko, can loosely be translated as supporter, proper-upper, uplifter etc. It is a term that represents the form and function of an advisory role, but holistically, the scope of kaitoko extends beyond advising.

Poutoko is the term given to the form and function of the operations manager within Te Pātaka

Poutoko is another compound word and can be translated as support post. It is term for the support post that elevates a pātaka.