A Day in the Life of Debbie Paringatai

Debbie Paringatai is a brave woman. She’s jumped out of a plane, survived a bungy jump and taken on two intricate weaving projects of cultural significance. 

She is also a woman heartened by the Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga and Toitūtanga values she can action in her working life (she has an idea that would bolster Kotahitanga too – you’ll have to read to the end to find out what!). 

As for the students she works with – they are people of appreciation and love. Debbie is happy, doing good in Toi Ohomai’s international department.

How long have you been with Toi Ohomai, and what's your background? 

I have been at Toi Ohomai only a short time - 2020 was my third year. I come with a background of many years as a Kaiako in a Total Immersion Māori kura or primary school teaching.

Tell us a bit about your team and what you do (as a team) 

I’m part of the International Team (receptionist). As a whole, we do Manaakitanga, providing a safe haven for our international students to ask questions and get some help and support whatever the issues maybe.  

Tell us what your typical day involves 

My day typically involves handling programme enquiries from around the world, either by email, phone call, or face-to-face enquiries and then generally directing students, staff and visitors to the appropriate people or services.  My day also involves chasing data, visa’s and insurance to make sure our students can get their results and are safe while in New Zealand.  All this, plus of course some small talk with visitors and staff - always with a smile.

What's the one thing you get asked all the time about your job? 

How many International students there are? How are they?  There are always HEAPS of international students enquiring, applying and attending from around the world.  They are really brave, and motivated to find a better life. He iwi aroha hoki (they are people of appreciation/love).

What do you wish people knew about your job? 

Toi Ohomai is ranked as one of the best tertiary education providers in the world and this is what attracts international students to Aotearoa.  Dealing with international students can be really rewarding. This is usually their first encounter with tangata whenua, so you want to give them the best experience - Whanaungatanga right at the start.  

What's something people think you do, that you don't? 

People think I teach international students and that's probably because of my background.  As for the international students they think I’m the boss and I know everyone, and everything - if only!  I am not an immigration adviser - I can't advise on visas.

What do you find the most challenging, in your job? 

Listening past the multiple accents, and deciphering the message or the help the student wants is a challenging aspect of my job.  I’ve definitely gotten better at listening and slowing my kōrero down.  There is always a solution to a problem and the team is full of experience and can give the best advice. 

What's the thing you love about your job? 

Meeting the new students for the first time (they are so excited and nervous at the same time) and then seeing them graduate. This is an achievement not only in terms of their studies, but also because they have spent a year of living in a new town and country with a totally different culture.  Graduation Day is Toitūtanga at its finest.

What's something a lot of people don't know about you?

I’m a weaver, I have created a full feather cloak/kakahu and near completion of a pake (rain cloak) with contemporary materials. 

What do you like doing in your spare time? 

These days I like to do as little as possible in my spare time.  If I must, I enjoy making bread and baking, a bit of gardening and, if at all possible, being at the beach gathering kai moana.

If you were CEO tomorrow, what's the first thing you'd do? 

I would make Te Reo Māori classes free for international students... actually for everyone. That would be a great sign of ‘Kotahitanga’.