Whakapiki Ake
Next Steps to Uni
Next Steps to Uni is a comprehensive three-day Whakapiki Ake experience designed to bridge the gap between secondary school and university study. More than just MAPAS interview preparation, this transformative programme provides Year 13 Māori students and their whānau with financial guidance, role model exposure, and cultural support needed to confidently transition into health science study the following year. Students must have applied for Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (FMHS) programmes, registered with Whakapiki Ake, and booked their MAPAS interview. Join us for an experience that combines academic preparation with whakawhanaungatanga.
Watch what previous participants experienced during their Next Steps to Uni journey:
Halls of Residence Experience
Experience university life firsthand with a two-night stay at Waipārūrū Halls of Residence. This authentic accommodation experience allows both students and whānau to become familiar with the environment where tauira will be living and studying. With approximately 60% of our whānau travelling from outside the Auckland region, this residential component ensures you arrive well-rested for your 8am MAPAS interviews. All meals are provided throughout your stay, and convenient parking is available at the Sir Owen G Glenn Building (OGGB) with shuttle services to the halls.
MAPAS Interview Preparation & Cultural Foundation
Your journey begins with a pōwhiri at Waipapa Marae, creating the cultural foundation for your MAPAS interviews. Our comprehensive preparation process includes registration sessions, strategic guidance, and the support of walking this pathway alongside peers who share your aspirations. Through tuākana-tēina relationships, you’ll connect with current students and graduates who understand the challenges and opportunities ahead. This cultural grounding ensures you approach your interviews from a place of strength, confidence, and cultural connection.
Whakawhanaungatanga & Connection Building
At the heart of Next Steps to Uni is whakawhanaungatanga – the process of building meaningful relationships that will support you throughout your university journey. From the mihi whakatau on arrival through shared meals and collaborative sessions, you’ll connect with peers who are on the same pathway. These connections often become lifelong friendships and professional networks. The programme creates space for students and whānau to feel comfortable, supported, and part of a larger community committed to Māori success in health sciences.
Reflection Sessions & Whānau Support
After your MAPAS interviews, dedicated reflection sessions provide a safe space to process your experience alongside peers and mentors. These sessions help you gain clarity on your next steps and make informed decisions about your academic future. The programme recognises the importance of whānau in this journey – creating opportunities for families to understand the path ahead and feel confident in supporting their tauira. When you leave on Saturday morning, you’ll depart feeling well-informed, supported, and ready for the exciting transition to university study.
Next Steps Success Stories
“Learning about the different pathways that they offer, thoroughly. Getting to know the halls and experiencing what it is like to live in a dorm. Next steps to Uni 2024 provided helpful assistance that made our experience much more useful and easy.”
Rangatahi
“Greater understanding about CERT so we can make a more informed decision about what is best for our rangatahi. Having the perspectives from the existing students and just being able to experience the halls made all the difference.”
Whānau Member
“Connection with whānau, tauira, reflection of journey thus far and building strong relationships to prepare them for 2024. Not having to drive home made it easier on all whānau, especially younger members.”
Whānau Member
“Good food, early exposure, build more connections, enough breaks to re-energise. Insight into uni life – living in halls was a great experience. Turning up to interviews with others as a group made it less stressful, and it was good to visit MAPAS house.”
Rangatahi
Ready to Take Your Next Steps?
Your journey into health sciences starts here. Join us for a transformative experience that will prepare you academically, financially, and culturally for university success. Applications and updates for Next Steps to Uni 2025 will be shared on our social media platforms.
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