My favourite thing about Ringa Atawhai was the importance placed on Whanaungatanga, like when the Board members, staff and the past students came to support our first day powhiri. The tutors really helped me make sense of the formal academic course material, especially by using group discussions and fun activities that connected me with my classmates. I found the block courses a great way to get the assignments done and our public health event was an absolutely amazing, creative, fun and positive way to turn all our learning into action. I definitely feel more empowered to engage with public health issues and confident to follow the Te Pae Mahutonga model as a best practice approach.