Launch of Hei Tauira

It is indeed a great pleasure to be with you at this exciting launch of Hei Tauira - Teaching and Learning for Success for Maori in Tertiary Settings.

Success is a concept that is well grounded within te Ao Maori.

When manuhiri arrive at the marae, the kaikaranga makes it her absolute responsibility that the karanga she gives out is distinguished by its clarity, its message and its strength.   Mediocrity is not an option.

When our speakers rise on the paepae, a half-hearted effort is not acceptable.  The mana of the people resides in the collective commitment to give of their best.

In much the same way, when the hakari is laid out, we expect it to be the finest feast that one has ever seen.   This is not the time for bubble and squeak, the leftovers.  Make do, simply won't do.

And so in the context of tertiary education, Maori do not expect anything less than outright success.  However, as we all know too well, success is seldom a concept associated with the education system and its capacity to perform for and with Maori.

The education system has been under-performing for Maori students and their whanau for too long.

Today it is time to change the picture.

I want to congratulate Janinka Greenwood and Lynne Harata Te Aika of the University of Canterbury on the fantastic work they have achieved in putting together this resource, Hei Tauira.  

It is also important to note the support of the Ministry of Education and the National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence, Ako Aotearoa.

Together you have all invested in success.  The challenge now is for tertiary education providers throughout the motu, to live up to your legacy and to look at ways they can strengthen Maori education in their institutions.

This study will be welcomed by all who seek to improve Maori educational outcomes - and I would love to think that that was all educators.

Because we know that as a nation, our future depends on how the education system meets the needs of the people; to enable them to gain higher qualifications, to then take that knowledge and skills out across their community.

The unique place of Maori as tangata whenua and as treaty partner must be universally promoted across all educational settings if we are to truly achieve the vision of the Tertiary Education Strategy, that is to be a

"world-leading tertiary education system that equips all New Zealanders with the knowledge, skills and values to be successful citizens in the 21^st century".

Now that's a fairly tall order for anyone, but obviously Janinka and Lynne are not ones to resist a challenge.

How will the transformation happen? 

By each of us setting the example.

This project is at its very heart about leading by example.   The study looks into four ‘tauira' or exemplars for success for Māori in tertiary education. 

These programmes are :

• the social work qualification at NorthTec,

• the degree in contemporary Māori art at Toi Houkura, the visual art and design school at Tairawhiti Polytechnic,

• the e-learning programme at Te Wānanga o Raukawa, and

• the Hōaka Pounamu Māori bilingual teacher education course here at the University of Canterbury.

The focus of the study, is about exploring, from a Maori perspective, what it is about each programme that has proven successful for Maori.

The greatest thing about Hei Tauira is that instead of looking at all the deficits in learning and the disparities between other groups; this study examines what success is like from a Maori perspective.

In this respect it is refreshing to have a focus which identifies our strengths and responds to the aspirations of our people.

Based on their analysis of these four programmes, Hei Tauira tells us there are five over-arching principles which breed success.

• 1. Active support and engagement by both iwi and the provider is necessary for the success of these programmes.

• 2. It is important to integrate tikanga Māori into the content and operational style of the programme. It needs to be lived and practised - this is about cultural integrity.

• 3. Programmes need strong, clear-visioned and supportive leadership, including significant Māori role models.

• 4. Providers need to develop a supportive teaching environment and style that allows learning; and is based on mutual respect.

• 5. The barriers to study need to be proactively addressed and removed.

This is practical, pragmatic advice which gives some pointers about what we can expect if we want to see transformation in our classrooms, a revolution in results.

We all appreciate that tertiary education is vital to our people in cultural, social and economic performance.  

What Hei Tauira demonstrates is that recognising and advancing Maori language, culture and identity is an essential element of the pathway forward.  And within that, pukenga, or the involvement of suitably qualified leadership and staff is significant in inspiring and motivating students.

Finally, I want to draw upon another example of the many models of success within te Ao Maori.

For over thirty years I have been leading Te Roopu Manutaki Maori culture group, working with them to perform at regional and national competitions.

The standard we set ourselves is to achieve excellence, and then to aim higher.   We set our sights on the stars and will be satisfied with nothing less.  Our aspirations are collective ones, the stronger ones support the less confident ones, we all share responsibilities towards each other to make sure we give of our best on the night.

While the stage performance is the public evidence of our work, the journey towards that performance is just as important.   It is about total commitment, discipline, hard work and lots of fun.

And throughout it all the karakia we say every time we gather; the support of our kaumatua and kuia; the respect that we accord te reo me ona tikanga, provide a crucial foundation for us all.

I share the same passion that I have for kapa haka, for Maori education.    And just as I will never settle for second best with Te Roopu Manutaki, so too, I want the very best possible educational outcomes for all of our learners, whether they be in kohanga reo, kura kaupapa Maori, wananga or mainstream education.

This resource, Hei Tauira, will help to make that difference. 

I want to congratulate Lynne and Janinka; Ako Aotearoa, the University of Canterbury, the Ministry of Education and all involved in the leadership you have provided, to foster success for Māori in tertiary settings.   You have set your eyes on the highest peaks, and shown us all that educational success is well within our reach.

Congratulations, and thank you all for your commitment, your optimism and your determination that excellence is the only outcome.