Ka Miharo Issue 4 Koanga 2010

KÖANGA Spring 2010

KA MÍHARO

Enriched lives Recruiting rangatahi

The new faces of forestry

United by art

Raising sports leaders

Our degree tauira take pride of place “Prior to being blessed with two more children within a year, it had been hard enough to centre my busy career around my family. Although I swore I would never go back to studying, I decided to make a change. My kids were a big influence on that decision.

“Being Ma-ori, I chose Te Wa-nanga o Aotearoa because I wanted them to bring my culture out in me. Having experienced other tertiary providers I really think this is the best place for our people. They are very supportive, it’s more of a family atmosphere, and you don’t feel like a number - not just another bum on a seat. I did my research on the teachers before I started here, we’ve got over 150 years of experience teaching us, and tutors who are masters in their field - I really respect that.

“I wanted to find a new career that would support my wha-nau and would fit with my family life, so I chose a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary). It gives me great joy to teach kids, I really love kids. And because my course is 9am-3pm it works around my family life as well, I get to take my kids to school and pick them up.

“No matter what age you are you can always be learning, and if I can play a role in bringing our children up, teaching them, and giving something to them it would be awesome. I’m really excited about that, I think I’m gonna be the “bomb” teacher.

“Times are hard at the moment, especially with the recession. Now’s a really good time to upskill yourself.”

Serenity Reti, currently studying toward a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)

www.twoa.ac.nz | 0800 355 553

TÁ TE POUHERE Té mutu ngá whakamoemiti, whakawhetai ki te wáhi ngaro e tauwhiro nei i a tátou te makiu. Kia whakapaingia te ingoa o Ihowa o ngá mano i ngá wá katoa.

Mátaia atu rá te au ki Waikato, kei óna pareparenga ko Kíngi Tuheitia e noho mai rá i te ihi, i te wehi, i te mana me te tapu o óna heinga ariki o te motu – pótaea.

Hei te kura tawhiti ka ngaro noa i te tirohanga kanohi, nei tonu te haku, te móteatea ki a koutou kei aku rau kahurangi – e moe i ngá ringa o te kaihanga mána koutou e whakaokioki.

E ngá mana, e ngá reo, e ngá ihoiho o ngá maunga o nunui má, o roroa má, e mihi ana, téná koutou, téná koutou.

E te iwi, kua kotahi tau te waka nei o KA MÍHARO e kawe ana i te kupu nui me te kupu roa ki a koutou, ka mihi ki a ia.

Ka míharo hoki te ngákau i ngá Puáwaitanga o téná peka, o téná peka o tátou, kia mihi ake ahau ki a ngái tauira e takahi nei i te huarahi mutunga kore o te mátauranga. Nó tátou katoa te whakamiha – he hokinga mahara hoki ki te pútake i

whánau mai ai te kaupapa nei o Te Wánanga o Aotearoa – kei wareware téná e hoa má. Ná tó tátou kaha ki te tautoko me te manaaki i ngá tauira e kai hua ai te katoa, nó reira e mihi atu ana, téná tátou katoa.

Kia ora and welcome to the Spring edition of KA MÏHARO, our Te Wänanga o Aotearoa magazine.

The dominant theme for this edition is graduation. Graduations are the ultimate demonstration of why Te Wänanga o Aotearoa exists today. They are the tangible aspect of the immense benefit we as an education institution bring to the tens of thousands of tauira who graduate throughout the country each year.

The graduations I’ve attended have been powerful, moving and joyful occasions.

They are special events where whänau join with family members who are graduating to acknowledge the commitment and achievements of those tauira.

This edition of KA MÏHARO captures snapshots of some of the diverse individuals who have graduated this year. It provides a small sense of the excitement and the achievements of our paetahi.

the impressive work of former All Black and Waikato rugby stalwart Deon Muir, who is providing support and imparting his knowledge to the sports stars of the future.

Also in this edition is a feature on our highly successful forestry course Papatoa, which is in great demand. Forestry provides huge economic benefits for Aotearoa and for Mäori who, as forestry owners, are big players in the sector. It is fantastic to play our part in training workers for this vibrant industry.

Thank you for taking the time to read KA MÏHARO. Take in the stories and share in the joy of our whänau as we celebrate another edition of our Te Wänanga o Aotearoa magazine.

Kia tau te mauri.

Bentham Ohia Te Pouhere o Te Wänanga o Aotearoa

There are a number of other wonderful stories celebrated in this edition. There is TÁ TE POUHERE

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HE KUPU RUARUA

Eco-warriors

Young conservationists muck in

A native tree planting adventure at Pureora Forest in Te Kúiti has helped Te Wánanga o Aotearoa early learning centre eco-warriors understand the importance of caring for our environment.

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öhungahunga from Ngä Käkano o Te Mänuka and Te Rau Öriwa took part in the Pä Harakeke Carbon Offset Programme earlier this year.

Pä Harakeke is a newly established plantation of native flax and plants nestled in the shadow of Pureora Mountain beside the Käkaho stream.

“It was an amazing opportunity for our tamariki to take in the magnificent landscape, breathe the crisp fresh air and enjoy being in the great outdoors,” says Ngä Whare Whäriki

Köhungahunga – Early Learning National Manager Elizabeth Pakai.

A karakia was recited at the tree planting ceremony to ensure strong and healthy growth.

“Our children walked the plantation through the native plant nursery and along the rows of visitor plantings to which they have now contributed,” Elizabeth says.

“We all learnt how this type of carbon footprint reduction mahi which cloaks Papatüänuku is important for us all.”

The planting site, which bares Te Wänanga o Aotearoa signage, will be a nurturing ground

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for tötara, mänuka, harakeke, köhühü and tarata.

Carbon Offset Certificates were issued after the planting ceremony. The certificates identify the location of trees with Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) co-ordinates enabling their growth to be monitored through the internet via Google Earth.

Elizabeth says the Manukau and Tokoroa-based centres have linked their planting adventure to their curriculum in areas such as raranga harakeke.

The köhungahunga have also used their experiences in Matariki celebrations, pakiwaitara and waiata.

KA MÍHARO KÖANGA Spring 2010

HE KAUPAPA KÖRERO FEATURES

EDITORIAL TEAM Jarel Phillips Jon Stokes Sandi Hinerangi Barr Paraone Gloyne Steve Bradford

Marketing Manager Managing Editor Editor Te Reo Adviser Proof Reader

CONTRIBUTORS Hinemoa August Ngahiwi Apanui Tatiana Brown Lisa Castle-Tauroa Jillian Churchill Shane Edwards Parone Gloyne Tai Gregory Eli Johnston Hinerangi Ngatai Damian McGregor Bruce Mercer Ray Miller Trevor Moeke

Tuihana Ohia Mere Paea Joanne Pere John Peters Rachel Porou Aroha Puketapu-Dahm Doug Ruki Ana Tapiata Aroha Te Kanawa Alice Te Puni Puawai Swindells-Wallace Travis Timoko Andrew Warner Mere Maika

DESIGN Kaaterina Kerekere, kedesign PRINTING GEON Print and Communications Solutions PUBLISHER Te Wänanga o Aotearoa PO Box 151 Te Awamutu 3800 CONTRIBUTIONS If you are interested in contributing to KA MÏHARO, or have any feedback, contact us via email at: kamiharo@twoa.ac.nz PAPER STOCK This publication uses soy-based inks on Novatech elemental chlorine free (ECF) paper that has been bleached without harmful chlorine gas. The paper pulp has been sourced from well-managed forests that promote sustainable afforestation.

COPYRIGHT © The entire contents of KA MÏHARO are copyright and may not be reproduced in any form, either in part or in whole, without the written permission of the publisher.

Enriched by education

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Earlier this year, thousands of New Zealanders graduated from Te Wänanga o Aotearoa. In this issue, we hear from four very different tauira who reflect on their successes.

Making the grade

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The Papatoa forestry programme is teaching tauira (including a growing number of wähine toa) how to work smarter in a physically demanding industry.

United by art

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Twenty-five years have elapsed since work began on the köwhaiwhai for the wharekai at Parihimanihi marae near Gisborne.

With the efforts of locals and Te Wänanga o Aotearoa, the original panels are now being lovingly restored.

Leading from the front

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A hometown rugby hero is back in the Waikato encouraging rangatahi to reach their full sporting potential. Find out more about Deon Muir - the kaiako.

Recruiting rangatahi

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Secondary school students in the Waikato are the first to trial the Äkina programme. It’s an opportunity for rangatahi to check out some of the courses offered at Te Wänanga o Aotearoa.

REGULARS HE KUPU RUARUA HE WHÄRIKI REO TE TATANGI O TE KÍ KIA HOUHERE MAI I NGÄ ROHE HE MARAMATAKA HE PAPA KUPU

Eco-warriors Te Káhui Amorangi The origins of ‘Tai Aroha’ Staff news News from the regions Events Glossary

ISSN 1176-4333

Cover photo: The grand finale – over 300 Papaiöea Campus graduates parade Palmerston North’s main street, Broadway Avenue, in celebration of their hard earned academic success.

Cover photo courtesy of Amber Maree Photography

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HE PAETAHI Enriched by education

Nä Jillian Churchill

Four unlikely graduates reveal how studying at Te Wánanga o Aotearoa changed their lives.

M

ere Maika did everything she could to prevent herself from getting an education. At school she played up in class, wouldn’t listen, refused to take any interest in learning and left when she was just 15.

But it was at her graduation in Rotorua in May that she put into words for the first time how she managed to turn a life that was heading nowhere into one with purpose and the power to help others.

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Nä Rahera Kiel

Ten years on and how things have changed.

She has recently graduated from Te Wänanga o Aotearoa with Te Korowai Äkonga (Bachelor in Teaching), is halfway through studying for her Masters and has discovered a passion for the theory of human development.

A proud Mere Maika on graduation day with her mum Polly Kiel (left), niece Te Aira Maika and sister Wanda Ashby (right) in Rotorua

At the ceremony, Mere read out a letter she had written to her moko explaining the changes in her life and how she had struggled to see past the stereotypes, defy them and achieve something beyond what she, and everyone else, had ever expected.

mates and the people important to them as well,” Mere says. “When you see that many people behind you in one place, it’s amazing!’’

“Graduation was awesome! It was a buzz to see not only the people you invited, but your

The main aim of graduations is to ensure whänau can participate. Aroha Te Kanawa, who organises many of the ceremonies, says it’s important to celebrate with as many whänau members as possible, which is why Te Wänanga o Aotearoa makes the effort to organise so many events.

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Graduation is a special time on the Te Wänanga o Aotearoa calendar. This year, there were 26 ceremonies held in small communities and large cities across the country, with each ceremony having anything from 50 to 500 tauira taking part.

“It’s very family-oriented and lets whänau see what can be achieved,” Aroha says.

“It’s an ‘all in it together’ feeling. Every year, it’s always special and you see some amazing achievements.’’ Like Mere’s.

She had tried distance learning, but dropped out. “I felt like I was just a number to the lecturer. I didn’t have the motivation and failed to complete the first year. Now, I put it down to being 19.’’

It was a pattern Mere knew well: start something, get distracted, give up.

Te Wänanga o Aotearoa changed all that. When she enrolled at its Rotorua campus, she was expected to be in class every day. “You are face to face with the person teaching you - our lecturers are always there.

It makes it so much easier.

“I knew I wanted to get a degree and I knew I would get it, but it was a matter of when and where.”

Mere admits the first couple of years were touch and go.

“I had a few issues. I’d always been a person who did what I wanted when I wanted, but because I had to be in class and had to do my assignments it was a bit much at times.’’

Top photo: University lecturer and Te Wänanga o Aotearoa graduate Anaru Eketone from Dunedin Bottom photo: Tauira at the Kaikohe Graduation in Te Tai Tokerau, 2010

By year three, Mere had worked into a routine. “I sucked it up and found I loved the papers.’’

Since her graduation, Mere has been relief teaching at

Ngongotaha Primary School. She now plans to complete her Masters and gain her teaching registration certificate, which will take her a couple of years.

Beyond that, studying for a doctorate may be on the cards, but Mere hasn’t made any decisions yet.

“I simply don’t know. I’m living for the moment and loving it. I found that Te Wänanga o Aotearoa was the most inspirational place I’ve come across. It’s amazing!’’

And that’s a familiar refrain from recent graduates. Although each has a different story to tell, there are two universal themes: firstly, that the teaching and the classroom environment is so supportive that tauira can’t help but succeed; and secondly, once you’ve completed one course, chances are you’ll be back to enrol in another.

Just ask Anaru Eketone. He lectures in Social Work at Dunedin’s Otago University. Three years ago, he and his wife Margaret enrolled in a te reo class with their daughter and two of Anaru’s brothers. The idea was for the couple to participate in something together while improving their te reo skills in a course that was solely assessment-based.

“I’d done a few Mäori courses before, but needed to improve my skills,” Anaru says.

“It was such a good environment and we had great teachers and a really supportive group of students. It was more a community feeling, which I’ve really enjoyed.’’

The first year passed and the couple enrolled in the second year, then the third and Anaru has now completed his diploma.

He is now contemplating another year of study, ”just to improve my confidence’’.

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And there have been some unexpected benefits from his three years’ study - the teacher studied his kaiako and became interested in the methods used at Te Wänanga o Aotearoa.

“I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from that.

I’d really recommend it to other people and I’m surprised there’re not more couples going,’’ Anaru says.

But if ever proof was needed that people never stop learning, just ask Bobbie Jarvis. She’s an 82-year-old Hamilton grandmother who has spent decades working as a real estate agent in the city with no plans of retiring just yet.

Bobbie enrolled in a te reo course to gain more understanding of the language and of tikanga. Behind her decision lies a discovery that changed her life.

Bobbie was born to a Päkehä mother and a Mäori father who was not part of her life. Her mother kept her Mäori heritage from her and she never knew she had Tainui and Maniapoto connections - including being related to the late, great weaver Diggeress Te Kanawa - until she was in her early 40s.

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Nä Andrea Pearson

Nä Aroha Te Kanawa Te Ara Reo Mäori graduates Bobbie Jarvis (right) and daughter Sue Allen from Hamilton

Certificate in Small Business Management graduate Andrea Pearson from Christchurch

“I didn’t have the opportunity to learn about it when I was young, so you see how much I lost,” Bobbie says. It was just very unfortunate. I had a very narrow education.’’

But since that discovery, she has met whänau she never knew she had and has become closely involved in helping to run family forestry blocks and rebuilding the family’s original marae at Waitomo.

She recently took her granddaughter, Olympic skier Sarah Jarvis, to see the progress being made in an effort to show another generation where the family roots lie.

It has been a wonderfully enriching process for Bobbie. But the Wänanga’s language course, which she completed with her daughter Sue Allen, has been even better:

“

Te Wänanga o Aotearoa was the most inspirational place I’ve come across

”

- Mere Maika, Bachelor of Teaching Graduate.

“It’s just been incredibly fulfilling,” she says.

“I’d like to have a greater knowledge of the language and eventually be able to speak it fluently. It is just so important to me. It’s such a pity I didn’t think about it earlier.”

Bobbie does have one confession, however.

She was not exactly a model tauira.

“Classes were at six and I could never get there on time. It was very difficult fitting it in with work and I was always half-an-hour late. It was terribly hard.”

“And I didn’t do much study - the poor teacher. He was so helpful, so good. I’m sure he just about despaired of me. But he was a special guy and I’d recommend it to anyone.”

Bobbie says she “did manage to pass’’, but says she wouldn’t have succeeded without the support of her kaiako and classmates.

“I’m hoping to do the next level, but I’ll have to give up work to do it. It’s not easy; there’s so much to learn.’’

Fitting in work and study is something Andrea Pearson has become an expert at.

The 40-year-old Christchurch woman works in a call centre by day and sews all night. That is now she has completed the Certificate in Small Business Management.

Tü Taua and Mäori Performing Arts graduates from the Porirua campus at their graduation ceremony earlier this year

Andrea decided to study business at Te Wänanga o Aotearoa after her sister completed a course there and had really enjoyed the experience.

“I had an idea for a business I wanted to start, so I thought I needed to give the course a go so I could take the next step.”

What she ended up with - in addition to her certificate and a whole raft of knowledge on goal setting, planning and pitfalls - was more motivation to really make her idea work.

She started by making dog jackets and beds and now has the confidence to expand into cat beds and toys. Andrea’s also working on other ideas for her range.

It’s small and part-time by necessity, and she does her business via the online auction site Trade Me, but whenever she hits a snag it’s back to Te Wänanga o Aotearoa for help.

“The tutors have been fantastic and so helpful. After you’ve finished, they’re still there for you. You can always call them and ask for advice. The great thing about

it is that you’re surrounded by so much enthusiasm; it makes you want to do it.”

The tauira on her course were a mix of people working on ideas or who had their own businesses, but needed help to take them to the next level. It was that mix that inspired Andrea. “We were all working on what we could do to improve.”

And having got a taste for learning, Andrea then enrolled in a money management course. Work and sewing permitting, she’ll be back again before long.

It’s no coincidence that graduates are so keen to keep learning. Te Pouhere Bentham Ohia says the nurturing, supportive environment so highly praised by tauira is at the heart of everything the institution stands for.

“It’s imperative we continue to provide the kind of learning environment that supports the aspirations of our tauira,” he says.

And it’s a philosophy that works. Graduation

rates are at 65 per cent, retention at 82 per cent and completion at 77 per cent – statistics that put Te Wänanga o Aotearoa near the top of the achievement list for tertiary institutions around the country.

Bentham says that while he’s proud of those numbers, there’s still opportunity to do better.

“Te Wänanga o Aotearoa is an education provider driven by a focus on being the best we can possibly be, and providing the very best experiences and opportunities for our tauira. This, rather than competing with other tertiary education providers, is what drives us.”

As Bentham says, Te Wänanga o Aotearoa is committed to ensuring the ongoing welfare of all tauira and to maintaining its three guiding philosophies: ähurutanga, kaitiakitanga and koha. They are principles that help tauira achieve the balance they seek in life.

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TOITÜ TE AKO Making the grade

Nä Alice Te Puni

Te Wánanga o Aotearoa’s forestry course is attracting a new generation of smart workers, including an increasing number of wáhine.

Kaiako Jennifer Bettridge demonstrating her skills at a cutting site near Kawerau, Maunga Puatauaki is in the background.

Nä Alice Te Puni räua ko Lisa Castle-Tauroa ngä whakaahua 8

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She’s a 42-year-old mother of five proving she’s a cut above in an industry generally regarded as a men’s domain. And she’s not the only one.

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awerau Papatoa kaiäwhina Jennifer Bettridge, of Ngäi Tühoe descent, is one of the “Papatoa sisters” – graduates of the Papatoa course who have taken up the challenge to succeed in the forestry industry.

Jennifer enrolled in 2002 in Auckland, taking up the challenge after her forestry worker husband Stephen - now a kaiako for the Papatoa programme working alongside her told her she couldn’t cut it.

“I went on the course because Stephen dared me to. ‘You can’t handle a chainsaw,’ he said.

‘Watch me,’ I said. And to rub salt into the wound I really enjoyed it,” Jennifer says.

She was one of four women on the course back in 2002.

“It was tough at first because they kept us girls isolated,” Jennifer says. “They kept us in a different group to the boys when in the forest. This made us even more determined to step up and kick butt.”

It was physically demanding, but they found the theory easy.

“The practical was okay too, because all our hubbies were in the industry and we had experience with chainsaws.”

“I remember being nice and thin back then.”

Jennifer says there are a “heck” of a lot more women in the industry now. “The men are waking up to our presence and that we can do the job.”

“I can’t wait to see a woman in a waratah (the big forestry machine that pulls trees, clears limbs and cuts logs).”

Jennifer has also seen pay rates for women increase over the past decade. Most of the women in the industry are log makers – measuring and grading experts who make top dollar for their contractors.

Jennifer’s favourite tauira was Anna from Papatoa Öpötiki, who enrolled to change her life. “She was a solo mum with no prospects and nowhere to go,” Jennifer says. Anna went on to be the top tauira on her Papatoa course.

“She was a big girl back then; now she is muscly and trim. She handles the chainsaw well. If she hadn’t done this course, she wouldn’t have the nice things in life she is enjoying now.”

Jennifer works alongside kaiäwhina Wiki Henare, who successfully completed the Papatoa course at Whanganui in 2003.

Wiki and Jennifer’s tauira have just graduated, and the two women – who recommend the course because it provides a healthy outdoors life – are preparing for the next intake. Jennifer says neither gender nor age are barriers to seeking a placement on Papatoa.

“All you need is a strong heart, a healthy body and a good mind. Guy Tiopira was on the last course and he was 54 years old.

He was just as fit as the others and ended up being our top student.”

Guy is now working as a logging truck driver.

And finding jobs has been a strong theme for the 2009 intake, with seven out of 14 tauira from Kawerau Papatoa being placed in forestry jobs.

“What Stephen and I see is a big lifestyle change, plus confidence and pride growing within our students, because they have achieved something great,” Jennifer says.

“This is why Stephen and I are still here.

To see the light come on in their eyes and in their faces.”

Jennifer says many tauira come to the course with personal baggage.

“The problems are pretty much the same: kicked out of school, broken homes. We awhi them as much as we can.”

Poutiaki (Director) - Delivery Relations Trevor Moeke agrees that the programme is a life-changing opportunity for tauira. “Some have it rough at home, while others just need a wake-up call.”

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Papatoa Kaiako Jennifer Bettridge

“

Tauira Jason Hemaloto (Ngäti Porou)

- Trevor Moeke, Poutiaki, Te Wänanga o Aotearoa.

“That’s the great thing about this programme; it takes people who have the courage to work hard and turns them into cable loggers who are work-ready, skilled forestry workers,” Trevor says.

“They go from not having much to being employable with earning power.”

Whirikökä campus’ new Papatoa kaiako Charles “Chaz” Edwards has this year offered his extensive knowledge, including international experience in the industry.

Colleagues from Gisborne say the tauira who come under his wing are lucky.

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”

They go from not having much to being employable with earning power.

Papatoa graduates benefit physically, mentally and spiritually from the cablelogging programme. A healthy pay packet is a bonus too.

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Tauira Alfonso Lima (Ngäti Porou)

Many of the Papatoa kaiako go the extra mile beyond the classroom, taking tauira on weekend hunting and fishing trips.

“This form of whakawhanaungatanga teaches students the importance of working together and having each other’s backs,” Trevor says. “If you can’t operate as a team, you can’t be in the forest. It’s dangerous.

You can get hurt and a life could easily be lost.”

He says the course is one-third classroom time for theory and two-thirds forestry placement for practical learning alongside contract forestry gangs.

All tauira are provided with their own chainsaw pack and safety equipment.

The cable logging course is offered to about 380 tauira at 18 locations throughout the North Island. There are plans to set up Papatoa courses in Te Tai Tokerau, the Tüwharetoa region and Nelson.

“We have received excellent support from Te Wänanga o Aotearoa and a commitment to keep the programme successful,” said Papatoa national manager John Helmbright.

Te Wänanga o Aotearoa was invited to take over the trade-training programme by the Tertiary Education Commission and Tairäwhiti Polytechnic last year.

Te Wänanga o Aotearoa presented Papatoa Cable Logging Course certificates to graduates for the first time this year.

HE KANOHI TOI Nä Alice Te Puni

United by art Ko Ahitïtï te maunga Ko Waihïrere te awa Ko Ngäti Wähia me Ngäti Köhuru ngä hapü Ko Te Aitanga a Mähaki te iwi Ko Takitimu me Horouta ngä waka Ko Parihimanihi te marae

The restoration of panels at Parihimanihi marae bonds tauira and different generations of whánau.

T

wenty five years ago, artist Sandy Adsett designed the köwhaiwhai panels for the dining room at Waihïrere’s Parihimanihi marae.

Now, as a kaiako for Te Wänanga o Aotearoa, he has returned to Gisborne with his tauira to work alongside local artists and whänau to see the project completed.

The köwhaiwhai panels first came out of storage in May for a restoration wänanga.

It was such a success that more than 80 kaupapa-driven supporters turned up again in July for a weekend-long whänau affair.

The third and final restoration hui will see the köwhaiwhai panels placed in the welcoming arms of the wharekai - Te Kura o Mähaki.

The Ngäti Kahungunu artist is pleased the project has given whänau the chance to reflect on their identities, and that körero collected during the original restoration project 25 years ago has also been recaptured in art-form for future generations.

Nä Alice Te Puni räua ko Tai Kerekere ngä whakaahua

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Freshly painted köwhaiwhai

“

Local Smitty McGregor enjoying her part in the project.

Tauira Richard Smith with kaiako Sandy Adsett at work in Te Kura o Mähaki.

Mäori art is about whänau, hapü and iwi, not the individual.

It’s about who we are as a culture and should be more about community projects than gallery art.

The köwhaiwhai patterns painted a quarter of a century ago were beautifully detailed and have been meticulously restored.

The new panels, including the raranga pattern, three kete of knowledge and the täniko pattern from the bodice of the Waihïrere kapa haka team, are bold and bright, expressing the stories of those involved.

Marae trustee’s Chairperson Tangiwai Ria says the project had been on hold for years, but with Matariki encouraging positive new energies it was time to move the project forward.

“With everything there is a season. There is a right time. And for us, this is the right time, she says.”

The best part of the restoration was seeing the locals and whänau from out of town

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embracing not only the project, but also their whanaungatanga.

“The restoration project is a fantastic initiative on so many levels for us as a hapü.

It is helping us communicate with each other and, in doing so, celebrating who we are.

“It is especially delicious hearing the laughter of our pëpi and children as we work. These young ones are breathing life into Parihimanihi. It’s glorious!”

Participant Smitty McGregor says it’s an excellent bonding experience with her five tamariki. “It was a good opportunity for us all to come together as a whänau.”

Sandy says great value can be gained from marae projects. “There are many rangatahi who would relish the offer of being involved in this type of whänau activity. Our urban

”

Mäori kids know there is something missing in their lives and here it is: the coming together as one for the benefit of all.”

For the tauira toi, the restoration work is a wonderful opportunity to apply what they have learnt in the classroom with the added bonus of being part of a “greater good”, Sandy says.

“The students are helping whänau who are not trained in art. They are also learning the importance of giving back.”

Sandy says the project “walks hand in hand” with the nurturing philosophies of Te Wänanga o Aotearoa.

“Sharing is caring and that in a nutshell is the Mäori way and the concept underpinning Te Wänanga o Aotearoa.”

He says Mäori art programmes need to continue embracing projects like marae restorations that involve and benefit the whänau whänui.

“Mäori art is about whänau, hapü and iwi, not the individual. It is about who we are as a culture and should be more about community projects than gallery art.”

“The biggest lesson of this restoration project is the red flag reminder that Mäori art is part of a living culture and that it should be for the benefit of the collective.”

Toimairangi tauira Richard Smith, from Gisborne and of Ngäi Tamanuhiri descent, says it is an honour to be lending skills gained from his training with Sandy to his Mähaki relations.

Fulfilling a dream

Parihimanihi marae trustee Chairperson Tangiwai Ria was a young woman when the marae restoration project first began 25 years ago. She shares her memories from those glory days.

Tangiwai says in the days of PEP (Project Employment Programme) during the 1970s and 1980s, all Türanganui marae were buzzing with activity. Parihimanihi marae, under the supervision of Ruth Nepe (née Katipa) and with the support of her adoring husband Pou, hatched a plan to benefit the whänau of Waihïrere.

Ruth called on the artistic efforts of her friends.

A young Gary Underdown, with the advice of Sandy Adsett, set about pulling together the stories of Parihimanihi for the creation of köwhaiwhai panels to adorn the wharekai – Te Kura o Mähaki.

With the PEP workers, who were all from home, the team set to work. They wove the stories through the designs and, for the few within the group whose potential shone through, a dream was realised. All the workers benefited because, by the end of the project, they were skilled in using brush on canvas and versed in the stories of Parihimanihi.

But issues arose and whänau politics halted the project. The panels lay stored and stacked in a room at the marae and many years passed.

Sadly Ruth, Pou and many others have passed on.

Tauira toi Helen Rangihuna from Te Wänanga o Aotearoa

Today, with the gratitude of the uri o Parihimanihi, Sandy has returned with his Toimairangi School of Art tauira from Hastings.

They are joined by Whirikökä campus and Toihoukura artists and the whänau from Waihïrere and Türanganui-a-Kiwa.

Marae trustee’s chairperson Tangiwai Ria

They have all come, bringing their hearts and skills, to restore the panels.

Tangiwai says, “We know that Aunty Ruthie, Uncle Pou and all the whänau are looking down on this wonderful activity.”

The panels are now in the light. They are getting their finishing touches before finally adorning the walls of Te Kura o Mähaki.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for reigniting the spark that has been waiting so long to burn brightly again.”

He mihi nui atu ki a Sandy me äna tauira me ngä whänau o Türanga mö tä rätou tautoko i te kaupapa.

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HE WHÄRIKI REO Te amorangi ki mua, ko te hápai ó ki muri Nä Ana Tapiata

T

ërä pea, he matakite a Dr Tuhuatahi Tui Adams. Nö te mea i te mutunga o tërä tau ka whakatinanahia töna moemoeä, kia hui tahi mai ngä köeke o te motu ki te tautoko i Te Wänanga o Aotearoa.

Ko Wikeepa Te Rangipuawhe Maika te heamana o te ohu. Nö Tühourangi taketake tënei köeke. I te körero a Te Rangipuawhe ki a KA MÏHARO. E koro, he whakataukï äu, he whakaaro öu e pä ana ki te mätauranga?

Käore äku whakataukï, engari i te wä e taitama ana ahau ko täku kuia a Räwha täku poutokomanawa. Karekau öna möhiotanga e möhio nei tätou i te mätauranga. Näna i mea mai ki au “Whäia te mätauranga hei oranga möu”. Mai rä anö ko tërä te huarahi e whai nei au.

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Nä Andrew Warner

I te marama o Whiringa-ä-Rangi, nui ake i te 130 o ngä kaumätua i hui tahi ai i te whare huihuinga (Mangakötukutuku–Glenview) o Te Wänanga o Aotearoa i te rohe o Tainui.

Ko tö Te Wänanga hiahia, he whakanui i ngä pakeke i tautoko i Te Wänanga. Ko tö ngä pakeke hiahia, kia whakatü i tëtahi ohu hei tautoko i ngä peka katoa o Te Wänanga huri noa i te motu. Nä reira i ara ake Te Kähui Amorangi o Te Wänanga o Aotearoa.

Ko Te Rangipuawhe Maika tënei i Rotorua

Mätauranga Mäori, Päkehä ränei?

Mätauranga i te katoa. I te mea hoki i tipu ake au i waenganui i öku kuia, i öku koroua i roto i a Tühourangi, anä i te taha Mäori, kua oti kë te huarahi. Engari ko te hiahia o töku kuia, kia whai au i te mätauranga o te Päkehä.

Tari Mahi (Department of Labour). E 39 tau e mahi ana au i reira. Ahakoa käore äku tiwhikete, i eke au ki te tünga teitei, e kï ana ko te “Area General Manager”. Waimärie ahau. Ka mihi atu au ki te Tari Mahi, ko rätou i möhio ki ngä mahi whakahaere.

I kai koe i te mätauranga o te Päkehä?

Kei te möhio au kua pokea koe e te mahi.

He aha te take i whakaae mai ai koe ki te tü i Te Kähui Amorangi?

Käo. I tërä wä, he küare ahau, küare rawa!

Käore i tutuki pai i roto i ngä ähuatanga o te Päkehä. Käore au i te whiwhi tohu. I te tau 1951 ka mutu au i te kura tuarua i Rotorua Boys High, a kätahi ka whai mahi i roto i Te

I mua i täku piritanga ki Te Wänanga o Aotearoa, i roto au i Te Kuratini o Waiariki.

E ono äku tau i te Kaunihera rä, ko Arapeta Tahana te Kaiwhakahaere Matua i tërä wä.

He pötiki ki au a Turi Ngätai. I haere mai

ia hei kaiwhakahaere mö Te Arawa i Te Wänanga o Aotearoa. Ko täna mahi ki te whaiwhai tauira mö te Wänanga nei. I te hiahia a Turi ki te hanga wharepuni ki runga i tëtahi taraka, kia pai täna haere i waenganui i te rohe o Te Arawa ki te tono atu ki ngä tauira. Ka pukuriri ngä köeke o Te Arawa, ä ka haere mai a Turi ki au. Ko täku whakautu “Whäia tö mahi, ko te mea nui kia haere te nuinga o ngä mokopuna, o ngä rangatahi o Te Arawa ki Te Wänanga o Aotearoa. Neke atu i te tekau tau, kei konei te wänanga, ä, kua kitea ngä hua mö Te Arawa, mö te motu hoki.” Mai i tërä wä, ka tü ngä köeke o Te Arawa ki te tautoko i te Wänanga nei.

Mö Te Kähui nei, he moemoeä tënei nö Dr Tuhuatahi Tui Adams. Kia whakakotahi ngä köeke i roto i a Te Wänanga o Aotearoa. Ä, ka mate a ia. Engari ka pätai mai tö mätou Pouhere i a Bentham Ohia, “me pëhea e oti pai ai te moemoeä o Tui Adams?” I te tau 2009, ka karangatia te motu, i tae mai te tokomaha ki tënä hui i roto i a Waikato. I reira ahau. Ko tërä te tïmatatanga.

E rima ngä ingoa i puta ake, nä Te Keepa Stirling i whakaaro mö Te Kähui Amorangi o Te Wänanga o Aotearoa; nä mätou katoa i tautoko. Ä, i roto i te ono marama, ka körerotia, ka whakamanahia tä mätou Tirohanga Whakamua 2010. Tirohanga Whänui, Tirohanga Wairua Te Amorangi ki mua, te Häpai ö ki muri.

Ko te whakaaro “Kia noho ko te Kähui Amorangi hei poutokomanawa, hei korowai mö Te Wänanga o Aotearoa e kökiri nei i ngä take, i ngä huarahi kia puäwai ngä wawata, ngä tümanako o ngä whänau whai mätauranga.”

Hei te mutunga me pëhea koe e möhio ai kei te pai, käore ränei i te pai ä koutou mahi?

E ono ngä rohe o Aotearoa nei. I roto i ënä, ka hui mätou ki te kaiwhakahaere o te rohe, ia marama körero ai, hei äwhina i ngä kaimahi. Ko tä mätou mahi anö: kia kite atu i ngä kuia, koroua i roto i ngä akoranga o te Whare Wänanga; kia haere ngä köeke i runga i ngä tohu kua utaina ki runga i a rätou; kia akotia a rätou tikanga, kawa o ngä marae.

Ko te nuinga o ngä tauira kei Te Wänanga o Aotearoa nei, he pakeke, atu i te 40 paihëneti, he tohu o te aha tërä?

Ko te mea hoki kua puaki ngä küaha mö te katoa, tae atu ki a rätou kua köeke haere. Kua kite atu mätou i tënä he Häpanihi, he Hämoa, he Päkehä, rätou katoa. Käore he pätai mehemea he tohu täu, he degree täu, karekau.

Kua kite koe i ngä hua pai o te Te Wänanga o Aotearoa rä?

Tino! I te marama o Mei ia tau, ia tau, ka utaina ngä tohu. I tënei tau, neke atu i te 1200 ngä tauira i whiwhi ai ö rätou tohu rätou tohu, anä ko tënä te mea mïharo!

He aha te hua o te mätauranga ki a koe?

Ki ahau, ka möhio ngä tauira, rätou katoa i ngä ähuatanga e pä ana ki te ao hurihuri, ki te ao märama i roto i tënei ao. Mä te mätauranga e äwhina rätou kia möhio ai ki te huarahi tika.

Kei runga: Te whakaute pai a Tämaki Makaurau i ngä kaumätua Kei waenganui, kei raro hoki: Ko ö tätou rüruhi i tëtehi hui-ä-iwi i Raroera, Hui-tanguru 2010

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“

Ko ngä kanohi o Te Kähui Amorangi i tëtehi o ngä hui-ä-iwi i Raroera, Hui-tanguru 2010

Ko te Kähui Amorangi hei korowai mö Te Wänanga o Aotearoa ... kia puäwai ngä wawata, ngä tümanako a ngä whänau whai mätauranga.

Ehara tënei i te mea hou ki te iwi Mäori kia whakaarotia he tirohanga whakamua. I te wä, i whiti mai ö tätou tïpuna i Hawaiki, nä rätou i takoto te huarahi pai mö rätou. Mai rä anö i te möhio rätou ki ngä moana, ki a Tangaroa, ki ngä whetü, ki ngä manu, möhio rätou. Käore mö rätou anake, engari mö te iwi, mö tö rätou hapü mö tö rätou waka.

Tae mai ki a tätou ngä uri, kei te pënei tonu mätou kia whäia i roto i te mätauranga, i roto i ngä mahitanga

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Me pëhea tätou e whakatö ai i te purapura Mäori i roto i ä tätou tamariki?

He mea nui tërä. Ehara mä te mätauranga anake e whakatika ngä mahi hë e haere ana ki runga i ö tätou marae ... ngä mahi patupatu tamariki, wahine hoki, te inu waipiro haere, e kai tarutaru ana, ërä tü ähuatanga katoa. Mä te mätauranga rätou e äwhina kia whäia te huarahi o te tika. Me kaha tätou ngä pakeke, ngä whare wänanga ki te ako, ki te äwhina i ä tätou tamariki kia whäia te huarahi tötika mö rätou.

”

Mä te Mäori te Mäori e tiaki?

Me hoki au ki te moemoeä o tërä tangata Wänanga, o Rongo Wetere. Tïmata mai i a ia te Wänanga nei, käore ngä Päkehä i whakaae. E käo! Ka tïmata ki te whakahë i ngä mahi a Rongo engari kei te haere tonu te wänanga nei. Nö reira kia kaha tätou te iwi ahakoa ka pëhitia tätou e te Päkehä, me kaha tonu tätou.

TE TATANGI O TE KÍ Origins of an anthem Nä Paraone Gloyne

TAI AROHA

TAI AROHA

Ko te aroha anó he wai

Love is an inspiration

E pupú ake ana

That wells up

He awa e mápuna mai ana

Like a river that springs

I roto i te whatumanawa.

From the tears of the heart.

Ko tóna mátápuna he hóhonu

Its roots are deep

Ä iná ia ka rere anó

And when it flows

He tai timu, he tai pari

It becomes an ebbing, flowing tide

He tai ope

A collective, synthesising tide

He tai roa

An endless tide

He tai nui.

Indeed a great tide.

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Káore, ko ‘Tai Aroha’ te iere e rongo nei tátou i ngá peka katoa o Te Wánanga o Aotearoa – hui mai, karakia mai, aha mai, koinei te tino. Waihoki, he waiata kua hórapa ki te motu; he hángai nó te kaupapa he átaahua nó te takoto o ngá kupu tae noa ki te waití o te rangi e kawe ana ia ki ngá taringa o te marea. Ko te pátai i te ngutu “ná wai te waiata nei?”

Koia pú te takunetanga e rárangi mai nei ngá whakamahuki e whai ake nei; kia kore ai hoki e rangirua ngá whakaaro ka tahi, ka rua kia meka ai ngá kórero, á, haere ake nei.

Tai Aroha is the most widely sung waiata across Te Wänanga o Aotearoa (closely followed by He Hönore and Ka Waiata).

The song has reached anthem status and is a part of our identity – our Wänangatanga.

Tai Aroha is not only our favourite, but is also in the “top of the pops” in many circles throughout the motu. Whether at karakia, pöwhiri or other hui, there are many requests for Tai Aroha. “Sing that Te Wänanga o Aotearoa song” or “Do you know Tai Aroha?” is often the cry.

The universal kaupapa of aroha is the theme over which the kupu and beautiful rangi are laid – a defining feature of a good composition. While we sing Tai Aroha on a daily basis, its origin remains a mystery to many, leaving room for theories of a debonair romantic wooing his sweetheart with poetic words floating on a melodic tune. However, while this dreamy image is appealing, it’s far from fact (sorry to all you Don Juans).

The kupu of Tai Aroha are a dual composition attributed to Kereti Rautangata and Wharehuia Milroy. The two had formed a friendship of 35 years through a sharing of interests, most importantly Mäori culture and te reo Mäori.

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The whakaaro behind the waiata came from an awakening Kereti had while carving the wharenui at Fairfield College – the veil was removed from his eyes to the fullness of aroha. He saw this love flowing into the wharenui through his work and being reflected back at him through the beautiful structure and all it stood for.

Kereti acknowledges Imre Vallyon (a spiritual teacher and mentor) for providing him with the spiritual development that enabled him to connect with this vision – this was the essence from which Kereti drew his inspiration for Tai Aroha.

Kereti recorded his feelings in poetic English and Wharehuia used his expertise in te reo to create the kupu for Tai Aroha. These kupu now cried out to be given voice. Kereti asked the members of his röpü, Mauri Taiaho, to capture the wairua of the kupu and translate this into song. Two of them, Taiapua and Aroha Wätene, composed a beautiful tune to give voice to the Mäori words. A waiata was born.

“

Kereti taught the waiata to his röpü and then to his fellow tauira in Tohu Paetahi (University of Waikato), and they sang it on numerous occasions on their travels.

Listeners were captivated by the tune of Tai Aroha. Later, the waiata was shared with kaimahi and tauira of Te Wänanga o Aotearoa, where it grew to its iconic standing as “our” waiata.

The lyrics capture the shades of meaning and experiences that we attribute to the word aroha. Thus, Tai Aroha has applicability in many situations, and particularly those in which we feel the yearning that binds us as whänau, hapü, iwi and as people – what we call aroha.

Kei aku kökö tatakï – nä körua au i whakaae kia tukua ënei körero kia pürangiaho ai te makiu. Nö körua te tai aroha e rere nei i runga i ngä hau o te motu – kei whea he mihi i tua atu?

Nö reira e te iwi, kia mau ki te aroha nui o tëtehi ki tëtehi, ä, ake tonu atu, tënä rä koutou katoa.

The universal kaupapa of aroha is the theme over which the kupu and beautiful rangi are laid – a defining feature of a good composition.

”

TOITÜ TE AKO Leading from the front Nä Tai Gregory

Former Waikato rugby star Deon Muir is passing on his sports knowledge to tauira at Te Wánanga o Aotearoa.

Nä Bruce Mercer ngä whakaahua

D

eon is thrilled to be able to pass on his sporting expertise to talented youth. He tutors as a kaiako for the Applied Sports Leadership programme (Level 4).

“It’s just good to get back to your roots and just be Mäori and work with genuine people. It’s unlike the mainstream environment where it can be a ‘dog-eat-dog’ world at times.

“To work with our youth - our up-and-coming kids that fall through the cracks - I just thought this was a good chance for me to give back to rugby, because it has given me a lot,” he says.

“Just to look after Mäori kids who you can see have got talent, but need a bit of direction and a bit of a pathway. I believe I’ve got that sort of knowledge to hand on to them, because I’ve come from a similar background.

“You’ve got to get a feel for their background and get an understanding on a personal level and be a mate - not just someone who sort of comes down on them. If I’m training them and they are doing fitness, I’ll do it with them.”

Deon says working at Te Wänanga o Aotearoa has been fantastic.

“I think you’ve got to get an understanding of how [tauira] operate try not to dictate to them.”

Deon says his teaching style developed during his stint in Japan after his Waikato rugby career.

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“I was recruited over there to teach the New Zealand style of rugby to the Japanese boys,” Deon says.

“I came back from Japan last year with a broken leg and spent six months trying to get that right. Because I was back [living] at Mt Maunganui, I got asked to work with a Bay of Plenty rugby team as a professional development manager.”

Deon says once his leg healed he went back to Japan to complete his contract, but then returned home again and saw a position advertised for a rugby kaiako for Te Wänanga o Aotearoa.

“It was a good chance to get back to Hamilton. You know, Waikato was where it all started for me,” he says.

Te Wänanga o Aotearoa head of the sports programme Mere Paea says Deon has had a huge impact on the boys he’s teaching.

“He’s got so much passion for the game and that passion has transferred to the tauira’s enthusiasm and commitment to the course,” Mere says. “The professionalism and experience he brings to the programme is really outstanding.

“It’s different coming from a coaching role to a teaching role, but he’s kind of embraced that with his enthusiasm.”

If you ask any diehard Mooloo fan to describe Deon Muir, many would say he was a hard-driving No. 8 who led from the front and was unlucky never to have made the All Blacks. But most would not have considered him as a teacher - until now.

The 37-year-old hardman played more than 100 games for Waikato and captained the New Zealand Mäori side on tours to

Scotland in 1998 and Australia in 2001 and 2002. He also led the Chiefs, making 33 appearances for the North Island franchise.

A product of Te Awamutu Sports Club, Deon departed New Zealand after the 2002 season to further his career in Japan.

Born in Rotorua, Deon spent two years in the sulphur city before parents Anita and Dave Muir moved Deon and his two brothers up north to Mangamuka to run a sheep farm. It’s a life he loved.

“It’s cool you know. I’m a farm boy at heart.

My father had a sheep farm while we were growing up ... basically, I just enjoyed growing up on a farm.”

Deon says from an early age he was passionate about playing sport.

“Coming from a small town like Mangamuka ... there was only a pub, a post office and a shop there. So, obviously, you had to find something to do.

“You’d work doing stuff on the farm and you’d try and hang with your mates and try to do stuff with them.

“I used to play all the sport I could. My parents used to really encourage me and take me everywhere. That’s why I went to boarding school: to get me out of a bit of a rut that I was in.”

Top photo: Tauira Davie Panirau putting in an effort with Deon Muir watching on.

Centre photo: Applied Sports Leadership tauira; Johnny Kereopa, Adam Waters and Sam Matangi in the front row, left to right; Karl Perrott, Bronson Daniels, Tane Mita, Davie Panirau, Steele Williams, Paul McCard, Deon Muir and Jarel Mapi in the back row, left to right.

Bottom photo: Deon keeping an eye on tauira Adam Waters.

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“

I just thought this was a good chance for me to give back to rugby, because it has given me a lot.

”

His mates at school called him Steve Austin from the 1970s TV series The Six Million Dollar Man, a nick-name that still sticks today. A Te Arawa and Ngäti Pikiao descendant, he says he got the moniker when he was a student at Tipene College (St Stephens), where he played for the 1st XV and was also the deputy head boy.

“It’s because I’d play every sport there was.

I’d just keep going,” Deon says.

When he left school, he came back to the Bay of Plenty to do a sports and leisure course, but says he struggled to make the Bay rugby side.

“So I shifted over to Te Awamutu with whänau over there, played for Te Awamutu Sports and had a trial for the Waikato team and sort of

the rugby thing went from there.” Deon says his dream was always to play provincial rugby and make a career from the sport.

“There was a trial, but the funny thing was I was doing shift-work as a forklift driver and I didn’t feel like going. But my brother said, ‘Just give it a crack!’ I just happened to have a good trial and the rest is history.”

Deon, a father of two, says he’s enjoying his teaching role, but hopes one day to coach at the top level.

“Part of my role at Te Wänanga o Aotearoa is covering the whole spectrum of coaching and as a tutor, so it’s good for my growth.

I’m currently coaching the Waikato Under 16s, but I’m looking at three or four years’ time to be coaching at the top level.”

Tauira Tane Mita feeling the strain.

Top marks from tauira Thomas Livingstone, 20, is a huge fan.

He’s one of 23 tauira currently enrolled.

Born in Whakatäne, the Ngäti Awa-Ngäti Pükeko descendant says it was his rugby coach who recommended that he try the leadership programme.

“He said it would help me develop my skills working with Deon (Muir),” Thomas says.

“I feel privileged to be trained by him ... he’s a hard trainer and likes to get things done on time – especially with our (theory).”

Thomas says Deon’s rugby contacts have opened up a lot of opportunities for tauira on the programme.

“It’s overwhelming. We had a chance to meet and have dinner with the Welsh rugby

team when they played the NZ Mäori. That was pretty special,” Thomas says.

“Thanks to Deon we got to mingle with the Mäori squad as well. It’s just amazing that, because we’re doing this programme, we get to meet international players.”

The talented second five/centre says the course has reinvigorated him to continue his quest to become a professional rugby player.

Thomas also has advice for others considering doing the programme.

“If you love sport, I recommend this course.

It’s an awesome environment with a great tutor.”

Classes are held five days a week for 36 weeks and include practical training on and off the field.

The programme gives tauira the opportunity to learn the principles of sports psychology, anatomy and sports nutrition. It helps tauira develop media interview skills and gives an insight into sports event management. It also offers guidance for careers as a sports coach, instructor, educator or professional player.

Enrolments for the next Applied Sports Leadership programme begin in February next year. Tauira must be at least 16 years old when they enrol.

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TÖ TÄTOU HAPORI Recruiting rangatahi

Nä Hinemoa August

Waikato rangatahi are the first to take part in a one-day introductory course at Te Wánanga o Aotearoa. It’s hoped the Äkina programme may encourage some students to enrol at the Wánanga.

B

ecky Armstrong has always known what she wants to be when she leaves school.

his dreams and reckons that if those options don’t work out he might become a truck driver like his dad.

The 17-year-old, who is in Year 13 at Hauraki Plains College, says she wants to be a teacher and, despite being of Päkehä descent, wants to teach Mäori.

“But I really don’t know, I haven’t really thought about it,” he says.

“I’ve always had a big interest in the Mäori culture. My grandfather encouraged it in me and I’m interested in exploring the option of teaching and using Mäori,” she says.

She is determined, focussed and something in her big blue eyes says she will probably achieve her goal.

But Becky is lucky. For many teenagers facing the end of their school days, decisions about what they should do afterwards aren’t as clear-cut.

Hillcrest High School’s Sataraka Tila, 15, is one of those students. He’s a strapping lad, but he’s confused about his future.

Like many teenage boys, Sataraka says he wants to be a professional rugby player or get paid to play PlayStation. But he has no real plans about how he is going to achieve

There are plenty like Sataraka, who get to the end of their secondary schooling without thinking about what to do next.

In the past, students like Sataraka would have left school and stepped into jobs or apprenticeships.

Hauraki Plains College students during the pöhiri at Raroera campus in Hamilton for the Äkina programme

Te Wänanga o Aotearoa STAR Project Facilitator Travis Timoko

But times are different now. The recession has meant that jobs are scarce, even for those who are skilled.

And the government’s decision to cut the apprenticeship scheme in the ’90s has resulted in fewer opportunities to train towards a trade.

This is why Te Wänanga o Aotearoa offers a one-day introductory course called Äkina, which introduces students to a range of options.

On June 11th, about 100 high school students gather at the gates of Raroera campus in Hamilton. It’s the second Äkina course offered this year and Sataraka is among the group. He’s a little nervous.

Judo Sensai and Te Wänanga o Aotearoa kaiako, Ken Kauluwehi (left) demonstrating martial arts techniques for the students.

Nä Bruce Mercer ngä whakaahua

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Left to right: Joseph Hall and Pukatea Waera (from Hauraki Plains College) and Kels Tawha from Hillcrest High School

“

Through Äkina, it is hoped that students and their whänau will better appreciate the relevance and benefits of tertiary schooling.

”

There are students from Te Wharekura o Taiatea, Fairfield College, Paeroa College, Hillcrest High School and Hauraki Plains College.

Becky is among the students as they are called onto Rangiaowhia marae as the pöwhiri begins. Tikanga is an integral part of everyday life at Te Wänanga o Aotearoa.

Moana Te Moananui, a teacher at Hauraki Plains College, says Äkina is a great way to open students’ eyes to learning and career possibilities after they leave school.

“It’s about figuring out what we can do to keep them engaged. A lot of these kids end up dropping out of school with no qualifications and no idea what they want to do.

“And unfortunately, more often than not, they tend to be Mäori, so it’s good that there’s somewhere like the Wänanga which encourages tikanga and te reo.’’

After lunch, campus manager Maraea Turketo addresses the students who are split into five groups to spend time with different kaiako. The groups rotate as kaiako explain the various courses on offer at Te Wänanga o Aotearoa.

Associate Kaihautü Ray Miller says Äkina gives students and their whänau an opportunity to meet kaiako and gain an understanding of Te Wänanga o Aotearoa and its programmes.

“For many, Äkina will be their first direct contact with the organisation. Through Äkina, it’s hoped that students and their whänau will better appreciate the relevance and benefits of tertiary schooling,” he says.

Ray says the one-day course helps students extend their education and career horizons.

The Secondary Tertiary Alignment Resource (STAR) course, offered in many high schools, can provide a link to Te Wänanga o Aotearoa courses.

STAR courses currently available include Introduction to Police Preparation, Mäori Art Design, Introduction to Huihuinga (tikanga and protocols during hui), Mäori Art Drawing Techniques and Introduction to Mauri Ora (a Mäori cultural programme). Äkina was introduced into Te Wänanga o Aotearoa this year and was first trialled at the Rähui Pökeka site in April. At present, Äkina is only offered in the Waikato, which

has seen more than 350 students from 16 schools participate in the programme.

Ray says the launch of the programme has been a success and the organisation is looking to expand it to other areas.

“Initial discussions for the national roll-out of Äkina have now taken place with senior personnel from Tämaki Makaurau, Waiariki, Whirikökä, Papaiöea and Te Tai Tonga.”

“We are encouraging other rohe to use their existing networks to establish or enhance relationships with secondary schools.”

By the end of the day at Raroera campus, the students are relaxed, friendships are forged and they are armed with new ideas on education and career opportunities.

JK Makiha, a 16-year-old who attends Hauraki Plains College, says he has enjoyed the day.

“Its been really good to see that there are lots of options out there and, who knows, I might be back to enrol later on.”

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KIA HOUHERE He Whakapahuhu Kahukura is a capability development project being implemented across the whole of Te Wánanga o Aotearoa to help improve the literacy and numeracy skills of tauira.

T

he name “He Whakapahuhu Kahukura” comes from the whakataukï ‘Ko te tui whakapahuhu a Kahukura’ – ‘the string united by Kahukura’. This is a reference to the ancestral icon Kahukura who stole the secret of net-making from the türehu people, a fairy folk. The türehu were tricked by Kahukura and became careless in looking after their prized net and from here the saying was created.

Te Wänanga o Aotearoa has been careful not to act carelessly in the development of its literacy and numeracy strategy.

Developers have considered the place of literacy within

Teaching essential skills to tauira A new project aims to strengthen literacy and numeracy among tauira enrolled at Te Wánanga o Aotearoa.

the organisation and have a standing commitment to this kaupapa.

Literacy encompasses reading, writing, speaking and listening, while numeracy covers mathematical and financial problem solving skills. Te Wänanga o Aotearoa will be embedding literacy and numeracy (as well as cultural and critical literacy) components in their foundation programmes (Levels 1 to 3).

During the past six months, He Whakapahuhu Kahukura adviser Aroha Puketapu-Dahm has been a passionate promoter of the project.

Aroha believes that those who can read and write have a responsibility to those who have not yet picked up these skills.

“These skills are needed for success in the workforce and in life”, Aroha says. “We want our people to have a positive attitude towards reading and writing. We need to get people active so they are no longer spectators of learning.”

“He Whakapahuhu Kahukura will provide kaiako with better skills to teach more effectively. Higher skilled kaiako mean better outcomes and better retention rates for classes.”

Aroha says He Whakapahuhu Kahukura should provide big benefits for young Mäori who have left secondary school with low literacy and numeracy skills. She says it’s important to address this issue since “Rangatahi are the leaders of our future.”

He Whakapahuhu Kahukura will be rolled out nationwide by a dedicated team, with the aim that this work will become ‘business as usual’ by 2012.

For more information, please contact He Whakapahuhu Kahukura Project Manager Hinerangi Ngatai on hinerangi.ngatai@twoa.ac.nz

“

We want our people to have a positive attitude towards reading and writing. We need to get people active so they are no longer spectators of learning.

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New tauira rep on governing council

M

atthew Goodall was elected as the tauira representative on Te Mana Whakahaere, the governing council of Te Wänanga o Aotearoa, earlier this year. He is currently studying for a Diploma in Te Ara Reo Mäori.

Born in Tïmaru, Matthew affiliates with Aotea waka.

Matthew worked as an educator in early childhood for more than a decade before taking up his current role as an Integrated Services Coordinator with the Ministry of Social Development.

Once a month, Matthew meets with the other representatives of Te Mana Whakahaere who are mostly high-powered academics. Matthew voices the needs of tauira to the council who, he says, have a high calibre of knowledge and skill. “They are open, willing to listen and value my participation.”

Matthew knew the role would be challenging, but he is thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to speak on behalf of tauira around the motu. If tauira have any issues they wish to discuss with Matthew, they can contact him on matthew.goodall@twoa.ac.nz

Winter webinar series a success Te Wánanga o Aotearoa successfully trialled its first webinar series this winter in honour of the late Dr Tui Adams who made a lifetime contribution to the advancement of mátauranga Máori.

A

webinar is a seminar held in front of a live audience and an off-site audience that views the seminar via the Internet and can interact with the speaker via email.

Te Wänanga o Aotearoa trialled a series of six lunch-time webinars in each rohe.

The webinars were delivered by well-respected Mäori educationalists, including Dr Linda Smith, Trevor Moeke, Charlie Pera, Taina Pohatu, Kahu Te Kanawa and Hoturoa Kerr. Each speaker covered different aspects of mätauranga Mäori in their körero.

Coordinator Shelley Hoani says the team that organised the series received a lot of positive feedback from those who watched the lecture series remotely.

“People were very happy with the quality of the sound and the picture. It’s great that people can enjoy these seminars from the comfort of their own workplace.”

The webinar series was a collaborative effort involving Rangahau, IT and Library kaimahi in each rohe. Shelley’s interested in exploring how the webinar can enhance the learning and delivery of courses, particularly degree programmes.

“Looking for innovative ways to engage people with education is all part of our strategy. The webinar addresses some of the geographic and cost barriers to enrolling on these programmes. It’s an innovative way to engage people with education.”

Some kaiako are already using the webinar presentations as teaching resources.

The entire series is available via the intranet, Te Kete. A DVD compilation of the series will also be available soon.

“

The webinar is an innovative way to engage people with education.

Te Ara Reo Mäori (Level 4) graduates Matthew Goodall, Paula Marshall and Mela Cornes with Whetu Iraia

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MAI I NGÁ ROHE PORIRUA Samoan Language Week Porirua campus is the first Te Wänanga o Aotearoa site to celebrate Samoan Language Week. Kaiako Peka Godinet-Tiata was at the forefront of the celebrations.

During Samoan Language Week she said, “There are no limitations. I stand here as a New Zealand born Samoan in a Mäori organisation influencing Pacific people.

Education changes lives.”

Peka emphasised the success of Pacific Island tauira at Porirua’s campus and introduced us to Samoan dance, the Ava ceremony and kai cooked in an umu. The campus was honoured to have matai, Samoa Godinet oversee the ritual encounters.

Te Kanawa marae in the Waikato for tuition.

Kui enjoyed learning different weaving techniques and is relieved that she finally has her tohu.

Farewell Kaiako Keriana Whaiti is now working at Te Puna Mätauranga developing our curriculum. Her contribution to the Te Ara Reo programme and Te Tai Tonga has been invaluable. She will be greatly missed by kaimahi and tauira at Porirua campus.

PAPAIÖEA WINZ Expo Papaiöea campus played host to a hugely successful Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) Training and Development Expo.

More than 300 people viewed the stalls of 40 service providers at the Expo on May 28th, which had the campus buzzing.

The main attraction was an elaborate gym display, hosted by our Certificate in Sports, Fitness and Health (Level 2) kaiako Lisa Benson and her Semester A tauira.

The Wänanga team succeeded in getting the blood flowing by providing physical endurance tests for visitors to their stall.

These included a peak rowing test, a static medicine ball challenge and the traditional maximum press-up counts for täne and wähine.

Naturally, Papaiöea tauira set the record for almost all tests and one of our kaimahi achieved first place in the wähine press-up count.

Social work graduate, Wayne Poutoa (Samoan) inspired the forum with his success story. For the past two years he has run the Streets Ahead programme, designed to help youth from troubled backgrounds gain an education.

The event impressed the service providers and was a great example of collaboration with our local organisations.

Ngá mihi nui ki ó máua tohunga raranga Two of our kaiako raranga, Sarni Scott and Kui Topia, received an NZQA-approved degree called Te Maunga Kura Toi, majoring in raranga. Outside their teaching commitments, the pair had to complete work at weekend wänanga and travel to Keriana (front right) with her former Porirua kaimahi 26

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WINZ EXPO draws a big crowd at Papaiöea campus.

WHIRIKÖKÄ Whirikóká tauira and kaimahi have enjoyed an exciting year rubbing shoulders with international celebrities and the country’s political leaders. .

Reggae superstars hold jam session

Regional manager Toby Westrupp said it was significant that the PM and other key ministers joined the restoration celebrations. The whare has close ties to Te Hau ki Türanga, which stood nearby before it was seized by Crown forces in 1867. It now resides at Te Papa in Wellington.

Both houses were carved by legendary Rongowhakaata carver Raharuhi Rukupo.

Whirikökä Campus restoration project leader Simon Lardelli said “restoring the houses was restoring the people — it was all about revitalisation.” He said it was going to take time, but the restoration project team was going to move from marae to marae throughout Türanga and the East Coast.

Out and about Mäori Language Week was a community affair this year with school competitions and an Expo to promote te reo rangatira at Gisborne Hospital.

Whirikökä also held an Open Day in July to highlight the educational opportunities on offer at the campus.

It was a great day for whänau, with a barbecue, live music and chainsaw demonstrations from the Papatoa course.

The busy kaimahi at Whirikökä are planning a cultural festival at the end of this year, which will include music, dance, drama, great kai and loads of fun. Like most of the other events organised this year, it will be open to the general public.

%ARLY LEARNERS THRIVE

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4E -ATA 7ÉNANGA

Whirikökä’s brightest annual event – graduation – was held at the end of June with hundreds of tauira taking their well-earned steps of pride to receive their graduation awards. There were “high fives” all round for the hard-working tauira and especially the Downes whänau – mum Tania, daughter Morgan and sons Paora and Chesley.

4HE MANY FACES OF 4E 7ÉNANGA O !OTEAROA

The restoration of one of the district’s most precious meeting houses – Te Mana o Türanga – was celebrated in May at Whakatö Marae, Manutuke, with Prime Minister John Key as special guest.

Hundreds graduate

2!5-!4) 3UMMER

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Marae restoration project brings the PM to the rohe

Rebel Souljahz at Whirikökä campus

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Tauira and kaimahi were treated to an inspiring day with the talented group who took time out from their hectic schedules to visit the campus.

The band allowed a sneak peek into their lives during a question-and-answer session and finished it off with a jam, playing some of their chart-topping hits.

"UIDLING A NEW FUTURE

The super cool “twitter it to all your friends” event was the hosting of Hawaiian reggae band Rebel Souljahz.

TE PAPA KUPU Glossary of Mäori words ähurutanga comfort, warmth äkina encouraged (akiaki – to urge) awhi embrace äwhina to assist, support hapü sub-tribe, to be pregnant houhere industrious iwi tribe kaiako teacher, tutor kaimahi staff member, worker karakia prayer kaitiakitanga guardianship kaumatua elder kaupapa issue, subject koha gift köhungahunga young child körero to speak, history köwhaiwhai painted scroll ornamentation kupu word mahi work, to work marae meeting place mätauranga knowledge, education mauri life-force, spirit mokopuna grandchildren nä by, from pä harakeke flax plantation paetahi graduate pakiwaitara story, legend rangatahi young person rangi day, weather, period of time,

tune, heaven, sky raranga weaving, to weave reo language rohe region röpü group taniko ornamental border taonga treasure tauira student, an example tikanga customs tipuna/tupuna ancestor toi art, knowledge tukutuku woven panel tumuaki principal uri descendant waiata song waka canoe wänanga teaching session, workshop wero challenge whakaahua image, photo whakairo carving whänau family, to give birth whänui broad, wide, general whakapapa genealogy Glossary of Mäori placenames Heretaunga Hastings Ötautahi Christchurch Papaiöea Palmerston North Tämaki Makaurau Auckland Te Tai Tokerau Northland Türanganui-a-Kiwa Gisborne Waiariki Central northern region Whirikökä Name of Te Wänanga o

Aotearoa campus in 28 KA MÍHARO KÖANGA Spring

Türanganui-a-Kiwa

HE MARAMATAKA Whiringa-á-nuku/October 2

Hakihea/December 15-19

Te Wänanga o Aotearoa Open Day Porirua Campus www.twoa.ac.nz

Primary and secondary school holidays start Nationwide

2-3

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Te Arawa Pride – Takurua Hapü Challenge Rotorua Girls’ High School, Rotorua Email: aneta@papatakaro.org.nz

2010 Waka Ama Sprint Champs Karapiro, Waikato www.wakaama.co.nz

3-5

Kohi-tátea/January 8-13

Ngata Memorial Lectures Ngata Memorial College, Ruatoria Email: lbaldwin@tronp.org.nz

Indigenous Weavers Invitational 2010 Te Wänanga o Aotearoa, Rotorua www.maoriart.org.nz

11

Hui-tanguru/February 17-20

Term Four starts (Primary and Secondary Schools) Nationwide

25 Labour Day Nationwide

Whiringa-á-rangi/November 13-14 Kai in the Bay – Mäori and Wildfood Festival Perfume Point Reserve, Napier www.kaiinthebay.co.nz

19 Community Networks Dinner Porirua Campus

19-21 Ngäi Tahu AGM Puketeraki Marae, Karitäne www.ngaitahu.iwi.nz

27 Opening of Räpaki Marae Käwai Raupapa (Introduction to the Arts) and Raranga Graduation Räpaki Marae, Banks Peninsula

Te Matatini o Te Rä National Kapa Haka Festival 2011 Wai o Hika Estate, Gisborne www.tematatini.co.nz

Mauri Ora

Embrace your culture

National Certificate in Māori (Te Waharoa) Level 2 Mauri Ora is a fee free, 12 month home based programme that creates the foundation for cultural awareness and identity and broadens your knowledge of New Zealand history.

Through Mauri Ora, both Māori and nonMāori achieve a greater understanding of the unique and fundamental culture that sets Aotearoa apart from other countries.

Throughout the 12 months four kete (kits) full of learning resources will be sent to your home. Mauri Ora is parttime and you decide on your hours of study, so it fits into any lifestyle. With fantastic learning materials you can read, watch and listen at your place, at your own pace.

You will be supported in your learning by a kaitiaki (support person) who will

meet at your convenience to assist and motivate you through the programme.

On completion of Mauri Ora, you will receive the National Certificate in Māori (Level 2) which includes 26 New Zealand Qualification Authority unit standards.

The programme is available to all New Zealand citizens and permanent residents aged 18 years and over.

Enrol today!

www.openwananga.ac.nz

Call free 0800 37 37 37 KÖANGA Spring

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Our degree tauira take pride of place “I’m a mother of two, and had never planned on studying toward a degree programme. But when I completed my certificate course it really boosted my confidence - I thought this is massive, I’m going to carry on to the degree programme.

“My dad is really proud of me for going up a step, because I’m the only one in my family that’s studying for a degree. I say my journey is for him. I want this to benefit my wha-nau, and when I go back home and take that knowledge with me I can teach them.

“It is a change studying toward a degree from a certificate, but the certificate course is bridging you toward the degree. It’s like a tease, it’s giving you a taste.

“When I graduate I’m hoping to carry on with a Masters in Civil Engineering, because I’m looking at my future generation and I want my children to grow up knowing kaupapa Ma-ori. I want my family to benefit from what I’m doing now. And I want my kids to grow up knowing where they come from, and to treasure all that is Ma-ori, the land manawhenua, tangata whenua, everything like that.

“I could have studied for my degree somewhere else, but at Te Wa-nanga o Aotearoa it’s more wha-nau orientated, and the kaiako treat you like you’re part of the team. That’s really cool and that’s the kind of feeling it is, all that whakawhanaungatanga, all that tiaki ta-ngata. It enhances your self esteem and builds your confidence. They also help me out heaps, especially with my children. They understand and that’s really cool.

“Anybody can do this degree, it’s an awesome programme to do - it’s just getting off your butt and doing it!”

Delise Puhi, currently studying toward a Bachelor of Iwi Environmental Management

www.twoa.ac.nz | 0800 355 553