The opening keynote address at Tuia te Ako 2012 was given by Dr Te Huirangi E. Waikerepuru (Tangāhoe, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāruru, Ngā Ruahine, Taranaki, Ngāpuhi) and inspirational champion of Māori tertiary whānau. The theme of his address was Kaitiakitanga (guardianship) – He wairua: He mātauranga Māori.