Otago Polytechnic social services senior lecturer Rachel Dibble won a Kaupapa Maori Award and University of Otago sociology associate professor Patrick Vakaoti won his Tertiary Educator Award with an endorsement in enhancing Pacific learners’ success.
The awards recognise their "outstanding" teaching abilities and the difference they make to learners, their whanau and communities.
Prof Vakaoti is the incoming dean of Otago’s Te Tumu School of Maori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies, and said teaching was a privileged position where he had the ability to "influence hearts and minds, and to continue to learn".
"Teaching is a dynamic process and acknowledging my position as a learner helps me improve my teaching," Prof Vakaoti said.
He is interested in sociological and community development work with young people, and his work explores youth issues like street-frequenting and political participation.
Ms Dibble was humbled by the award and was also delighted she is eligible for the Prime Minister’s Tertiary Educator of the Year Award.
She said she placed great emphasis on creating a learning environment in which people experienced real connections to place and space.
"As an educator, I strive to facilitate authentic learning experiences that come from recognition of mana whenua space, and are founded on the provisions of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
"My approach includes facilitating education through multimedia, incorporating Maori voices such as heavy rock band Alien Weaponry, and the outstanding slam poetry group Nga Hine Pukorero."
The awards will be presented at a ceremony on November 23.
