GUEST EDITORIAL
The Meaningfulness of Life
An inspiring conversation with Professor Pare Keiha.
Professor pare keiha
Headmaster Bradley Fenner describes Professor Pare Keiha as a,“ distinguished academic, who provided a thoughtful and very personal reflection on Waitangi Day and spoke on the themes of hope, friendship, and kindness, which he felt worthy of emphasis on this occasion.”
After his visit to King’ s, Professor
Keiha wrote to Mr Fenner saying,“ I am telling everyone who is prepared to listen that my reception at King’ s College was one of my most thrilling professional if not personal experiences I have had for some time. The energy, respect and enthusiasm shown by the school towards Maori culture was simply inspiring. I congratulate you for taking the steps in 2010 to integrate Maori culture into the life of King’ s College. It is my hope that other schools would follow your example.”
After reading these wonderful accolades from such a distinguished educator, I arranged to meet Professor Keiha with a view to interviewing him on‘ diversity in education’, and it was indeed my pleasure to spend a couple of hours talking with him at his beautiful Mt Eden home. After a few moments with this fascinating and enlightening gentleman, I put my pen down and was engaged in a conversation that filled me with optimism. This was not a question and answer meeting, but more of a dialogue about his hopes for the nation’ s future and the generation of young people who will shape New Zealand in the year’ s ahead.
Professor Pare Keiha’ s qualifications make staggering reading, spanning both areas of academia and business. He has a Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Business Administration, Master of Commercial Law degree, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. He is a member of the Institute of Directors, and the Boards of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. He is tumuaki( dean) of Te Ara Poutama( Faculty of Maori Development) at AUT, where he is also Pro Vice-Chancellor of Maori Advancement and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Commercialisation.
In 2008, he received the Insignia of a Companion of the Queen’ s Service Order for services to business, education and Maori.
This is clearly a man who knows his stuff. So what is it that drives this eloquent educator?“ Education transforms lives and it gives hope,” he says. He quotes a line from an old Kelvin Kline movie,“ Teaching is more than a noble profession. It is a vocation, a calling …” His hope for young people is that they have meaningfulness in their lives and that somehow through education their lives gain purpose and value. He says that young people need to make the most of every day and take every opportunity that is presented to them.“ Their behaviour is their responsibility, excuses for bad behavior are not acceptable, and they merely validate that behaviour.”
He is also keen on critical thinking, believing that we should never take no for an answer without first asking, why?“ If you consider the glass half full or half empty scenario, it’ s not about whether the statement is right or wrong – it’ s accepting that people have different opinions.”
I asked him about his childhood and he speaks most fondly of his time growing up in Gisborne. The love of his family – in particular his grandmothers( he had three) and his dear mother- their strength and determination instilled great work ethics and morals in the young boy.“ The values and beliefs that we are brought up with are part of our DNA. They make us who we are.” He comments that he did not know they were poor, so rich in love and happiness were they, that it never entered his head that others had more than they did. He speaks with sadness at the thought that many people don’ t know what it is to love or to be loved by family.
He is also a strong advocate on“ being comfortable in your own skin.” He believes that people need to accept that they are the centre of their own universe, rather than sitting on the edge of someone else’ s.“ If you always long to be someone else, inevitably you will be very disappointed.”
When I ask him about his visit to King’ s, he is very respectful of the experience and speaks sincerely about the commitment that the College has made to Te Reo.“ Of all the schools in New Zealand, who would have thought that it would be King’ s College that would make such a genuine stand to develop and embrace Maori language and culture.” This was further emphasised for him when he witnessed the entire school performing the Haka at assembly.“ It was very moving,” he comments.“ Seeing your new Head Boy, standing alongside other boys of all nationalities, performing so passionately and with equal enthusiasm, was thrilling.”
I could have spent many hours listening to Professor Keiha. His messages are consistent with the new Positive Education programme recently adopted by the College and we look forward to welcoming him back to King’ s to impart more of his inspiring thoughts on the meaningfulness of life.
Gael Panama Editor
Professor keiha receiving the insignia of a Companion of the queen’ s service order
4 AUTUMN 2013 • KING’ S COURIER