Partnership that fosters identity, language & culture

Posted on 28 November, 2016

Students at Manawatū College have the opportunity to engage in new courses due to an exciting partnership between the school and Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga. The aspirations of the partnership focus on uplifting the wairua (spirit or soul) of Māori students.

In close collaboration with their Māori community, the college has developed three full year, multi-level courses offering NCEA credits across L1, 2 and 3. These courses are immersed in te reo Māori and tikanga and are co-taught by local hapū community partners.

In 2015, a Whakairo (Māori carving) class for senior boys was introduced as a vehicle to utilise mātauranga Māori. Whilst learning practical knowledge of carving and their meanings as historical and contemporary expressions of Te Ao Māori, the boys achieved multiple credits across literacy, numeracy, media studies, art and design by the beginning of 2016.

Female students also expressed their deep desire to engage in classes that reflect wahine identity, language and culture, leading to the development of Ngā Toi (Māori creative and performing arts). This multimedia, co-educational course helps students develop skills and expertise in drawing, weaving and carving. Local kaumātua and kuia support students to use pounamu as their carving medium.

The final course to be developed, Tu Rangatira (to stand as a leader), fell naturally out of the students’ desire to be involved with pōwhiri at the College, providing an opportunity for students to develop their understanding of engaging in customary Māori processes.

With the assistance of kaumātua and kuia, the students are supported to learn about and uphold tikanga Māori within and for their whānau, hapū and iwi. Final assessment presentations are completed during a week-long noho at their local marae.

There are three elements within Tu Rangatira:

• Mau Rakau - Kaitiakitanga (guardianship for the defense of one’s whenua)
• Marae Catering - Manaakitanga (care and hospitality) and
• Taonga Puoro (research, composition and performance with traditional musical instruments).

The curriculum developments at Manawatū College reflect a commitment to an ongoing journey to embrace Māori students’ identity, language and culture as an asset and a foundation of knowledge on which to build and celebrate learning and success as Māori.

The College is now exploring further opportunities to embed authentic learning contexts for their Māori students across the curriculum.