Ākonga Māori at UC are influenced to engage with libraries by the provision of individualised and scaffolded learning experiences in a relational model of service delivery. Ākonga Māori present with unique social and learning behaviours and characteristics which they have said means they require specialised services. They have not been afraid to ask for these from their Tiriti partners.

A shift in delivery approach is now required of UC Libraries, and their services need to be taken to ākonga in a more direct way. Strategic direction requires a needs analysis based on research. This report serves as a start to this.

Ākonga should not have the onus placed on them to be the engagers, as the responsibility for engagement then shifts from the senior partner to the junior member in the relationship.

There are positive examples of staff at UC Libraries who deliver services to ākonga Māori by practicing manaakitanga and tiakitanga. The power these experiences have on influencing ākonga success is immeasurable.

The extent to which UC Libraries contribute to transitioning ākonga into their tertiary journey at UC was made transparent in the course of this research; it is critical that this work is understood, evaluated, enriched, and progressed. Services that are hidden need to be exposed to make access to services fair and equitable to ākonga Māori, and they have asked for mentorship and guidance to know about these services – including learning from their tuakana who have already had experience in the UC tertiary landscape.

Ākonga asked for UC Libraries to increase the exposure of Te Ao Māori, Tikanga Māori and te reo Māori; awarding and celebrating the mana of te reo Māori. Supporting ākonga to discover and connect with their cultural identity would be facilitated by UC Libraries in this way.