Elijah Murrell-Manu: Following the call of the ocean

When Elijah Murrell-Manu (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tama, Rangitāne) walked across the graduation stage today, he carried a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, and more importantly, the pride of his whānau, the strength of his father, the support of close friends, and a dream shaped by the ocean.

Originally from Picton, Elijah began his university journey in Otago but eventually found his way to Massey University after following a friend north. The move proved to be the shift he needed. “I changed to zoology so I could focus more on what I truly wanted to do,” he says.

Among all his courses, marine mammalogy stood out as something unforgettable. The third-year class deepened his passion for working with marine mammals, especially whales and dolphins. He speaks about his future goals with genuine excitement, hoping one day to be out in the field alongside these incredible animals.

Balancing study, life, and deadlines wasn’t always easy, but Elijah never felt alone. “My whole family helped me get to this point,” he says. “I couldn’t have made it without my dad. He was my rock and always there when I needed him. Without him I wouldn’t have made it to graduation today.”

Graduation day was emotional in the best way. As he crossed the stage, Elijah avoided looking directly at where his family was seated. “If I saw their faces, I knew I was going to cry,” he laughs. “But knowing they were there meant everything.” The highlight of his day was having the same people who encouraged him at the beginning still standing with him at the end.

Looking back on his time at Massey, one memory always brings a smile. A close friend approached him early in his studies, but although they’d met before, he couldn’t place her at all. “Trying to work out who she was, it was hilarious in hindsight,” he says. Other memories include the classic race against the 11:59 pm assignment submission deadline and the relief of beating it by one minute.

For students still on their journey, Elijah’s advice is simple: make sure you have a strong support system. “You’re the one doing the study, but you’re not in it alone. Take a breather when you need to. Reset. Go home for a bit. Get out in nature. Do it for the people who believe in you, and do it with them.”

As for what’s next, Elijah sees a master’s degree on the horizon, but he’s giving himself some time to rest and recharge first. “A break from study would be nice. Then I’ll come back hungry for more!”