It was the convenience and flexibility of distance learning through SIT2LRN that first caught Gemma Brewer’s attention when she was considering study.
Describing herself as a 49-year-old Māori woman, proud mother and nana, Gemma lives in the heart of the King Country with her husband – now officially empty nesters. “I was just waiting for the right time and space to focus on me,” she says.
Gemma’s journey with SIT began in 2007 with a Small Business Management course – an early step that planted the seed for future study. In 2021, she began the NZ Diploma in Business (Level 5), completing it in 2023. That same year, she also earned the NZ Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (Level 4). In September 2023, she enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Management (Level 7) and hasn’t looked back. “…fingers crossed, I’m on track to complete it by October 2025.”
Gemma says her learning journey has been guided by both ngākau (heart) and hinengaro (mind). “I’ve always been drawn to kaupapa Māori values like manaakitanga and rangatiratanga, and I’ve discovered a real interest in leadership. I’m fascinated by how people and organisations work, and I’ve realised I have a natural ability to lead, manage, and bring people and projects together.”
She says SIT2LRN has supported her to grow into her potential, reclaim her voice, and honour her experiences. “It’s allowed me to do that in a way that fits my world – grounded in whānau, whakapapa, and a desire to uplift others.”
Gemma found SIT2LRN through an online search using criteria that matched her lifestyle – study that would fit around full-time work, being a wife, renovating a home, and supporting her kura community. “Distance learning gave me the flexibility to weave all those threads together.”
“To be honest, I had no big expectations going in – I just knew I needed arataki (guidance) and arotahi (focus).” What she found was much more than course content. “It was a learning journey that respected my time, my commitments, and my way of being. The support has been steady and genuine, and it’s helped me grow not only academically, but personally as well.”
Gemma describes the Bachelor of Applied Management as challenging, relevant, and rewarding. “Every paper adds another layer to my kete of knowledge. It’s helped me understand rangatiratanga (leadership), kotahitanga (unity), and manaakitanga (support), which I try to embody in my mahi and community.”
Her current study covers operations, risk, change management, HR, and leadership. “What I value most is how the content connects with real life. I try to apply it to my world, to Aotearoa, and to our kura – so it’s not just theory, it’s meaningful.”
Gemma says one of her biggest breakthroughs has been realising, “I can do this.” She describes a deep sense of pride in submitting assignments she never imagined herself writing. “That feeling is hard to explain — but it’s powerful.”
She also credits the support of SIT2LRN tutors with helping her succeed. “They’ve been awesome. Many have gone above and beyond to offer clear guidance and manaaki (care), especially when I’ve needed reassurance or clarity.” She especially acknowledges SIT2LRN Developer/ Tutor, Martin Mahler, whose kindness and encouragement “was often the gentle nudge I needed to keep going when life felt full”.
Martin weighed in on Gemma’s outstanding academic achievements; he had given her a rarely achieved score of 96.6% on a research report for the MGT702 paper, where she investigated financial leadership in the public school system while integrating Māori (philosophy-based) values.
“Every possible angle was considered, creating an inspiring piece of work. I have never given a (high) score like that,” Martin noted. “Gemma is very representative of our mature SIT2LRN students, excelling and enjoying their journey.”
And while Gemma’s journey has been fulfilling, it hasn’t been without challenge. “One of the hardest things has been the mamai o te wairua – the emotional weight of feeling isolated in study.” She explains that the academic content was often unfamiliar to those around her, so she had to find her way largely alone.
“I also struggled with te whakatau i te wā – managing my time and setting boundaries. Juggling work, whānau, study, and community commitments wasn’t always smooth. There were times I doubted whether I could keep it all together.”
What helped Gemma navigate those moments was manawanui – perseverance. She made use of tools like Blackboard to connect with other learners and tutors. “It became more than a platform – it was a place of whakawhanaungatanga, where I felt seen.” She also learned to give herself grace: to take breaks when needed and to celebrate progress, not perfection. “Most importantly, I reminded myself, he waka eke noa – we’re all in this together.”
Gemma says SIT2LRN has transformed her skills and her self-perception. “It’s helped me whakapono – to truly believe in my capability. I no longer see my lack of formal education earlier in life as a weakness; it’s part of the journey that brought me here.”
She now approaches problems with broader, more strategic thinking – asking why something matters, who it affects, and how it connects to the bigger picture. “I’ve learned to back myself in spaces I once felt unsure. And I’ve learned that I don’t have to change who I am to succeed – my culture, my whakapapa, and my lived experience are strengths.”
“SIT2LRN has helped me reclaim my place in the learning space – not as a follower, but as a leader in my own right.”
Currently working as an Office Administrator at a kura, Gemma describes her role as “dynamic and far-reaching.” She supports school management, the Board of Trustees, and external providers. Her responsibilities span payroll, HR, accounts, digital support, property maintenance, health and safety, event coordination, and building projects. “The skills I’m gaining through SIT2LRN support the mahi I do every day. I’m more effective, thoughtful, and confident.”
Gemma says studying has helped her step into spaces she once felt unsure about, with the tools to lead with purpose and speak with clarity. “I’ve realised that I deserve to be in those rooms – not as an observer, but as a contributor, a leader, and a voice for my community.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue influencing systems, supporting whānau, and ensuring tamariki are set up for success. “I didn’t pursue this degree to move on from where I am – I pursued it to strengthen where I stand.”
And Gemma’s advice to others thinking about studying - “Back yourself. Even if it feels scary. Even if it’s been a long time since you last studied – do it anyway.”
“You don’t have to have it all figured out from the start – just take that first step. You’ll learn a lot about your subject, but you’ll learn even more about yourself – your resilience, your determination, your manawanui.”
Gemma doesn’t sugar-coat her experience. “There’ll be tough days. But as my dad used to say, ‘they too shall pass’. And when they do, you’ll look back and see just how far you’ve come.”
SIT2LRN, she says, has changed her life. “I’ve grown in confidence, skills, and self-belief. The support from tutors, the richness of the course content, and the ability to study in a way that honours my world – my whānau, my tikanga, my mana – have made all the difference.”