Whaiiterangi-Mama Shepherd-Manuel
Bachelor of Design - Visual Communication
What does Matariki mean to you?
Growing up I went to kohanga reo and Kaupapa Māori kura so Matariki was always known. It signified a change of seasons, a time to come together and celebrate, to reflect our past and aspire for the future. Now, as an adult, I see it as so much more than just the celestial event. It encompasses everything in te ao Māori, like whakapapa, lineage, our skills as storytellers and acknowledges our past, our present and our future. To see it becoming recognised nationwide is pretty awesome. It’s an amazing space to be in at the moment.
What makes studying at Wintec in Kirikiriroa work for you?
Choosing to study at Wintec was a no brainer! I was born and raised in Kirikiriroa so it was natural for me to choose Wintec for my field of study. I started in 2013 but took time off to focus on my young family. Then a couple of years ago I decided to finish my studies. I really contemplated this decision because I was nervous about returning and had reservations about how I’d juggle study around being a mom. Once I started back, I knew I’d made the right decision. It was exciting to be around like-minded peers, and talented, encouraging people who share the same passion. It made it easy to get excited again for studying. The tutors offer a lot of guidance and support and have opened my world up into the opportunities in design. It’s not just about working on your specialist skill set but preparing you for entry into the design industry. I'm so thankful to them, they definitely made it easier to take the leap to come back to study.
How has being Māori influenced your career path or your chosen field of study?
Growing up I was always drawn to the arts, as well as having a passion for computers, so when I realised there was a career option that combined these, I knew I wanted to do something in the field. I am inspired by Māori graphic designers such as Nikki Kennedy, the owner of Taputapu Toi. Their authentic Māori designs inspired me and made me think ‘yes, this is possible’. I think being Māori influences my approach more than my outputs by instilling and taking on Māori values into the way I collaborate with people and engage with clients. It’s more of a flow for my methodology more than anything.