Why Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Cultural Standards?
Consultation within Ngāti Kahungunu and a significant body of research including Ka Hikitia - Managing for Success: The Māori Education Strategy 2008-2012 has found that in line with Sir Apirana Ngata’s famous aphorism about pursuing the benefits of a dual heritage, Māori parents are adamant their children should be exposed to the best of all worlds (Penetito, 1998; Tomoana, 2005). The educational aspirations of Māori parents in Ngāti Kahungunu are no different to those found elsewhere; that our children do well, finish school and go on to tertiary education (Cunningham, Stevenson, & Tassell, 2005). From a Māori point of view, why culture and language are important considerations in the education of Māori children in Aotearoa is ultimately linked to issues about identity. Dr Wally Penetito states: “Why is there a problem with Māori student school performance? – because the cultural discontinuity between Māori student home and family and the institution of school are gross (Penetito, 1998, p. 102).
What are Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Cultural Standards?
The Ngāti Kahungunu Cultural standards project was developed with the following purpose: Ngāti Kahungunu history and culture are an integral part of the teachings and learning’s in Ngāti Kahungunu rohe. Early childhood and school settings should ensure Ngāti Kahungunu children enjoy educational success as Ngāti Kahungunu and as Māori.
The project has adapted a Ngāti Kahungunu cultural construct, Te Tōpuni Tauwhāinga to underpin the theoretical and research framework for Te Pae Huarewa. While still in pilot form, the project aims to include a professional development programme for schools, teachers and whānau. This resource and service for schools will create partnerships with Ngāti Kahungunu to support practice that shows, promotes and values local context, culture and content to reflect the community and students’ culture. The project also aims to create opportunities for teachers, students and whānau to support understanding and the mutual benefits of successful engagement and participation in mainstream education in the Ngāti Kahungunu rohe.
How does it work?
The project continues to identify what works and what doesn’t work for Māori learners in the mainstream educational setting. Te Tōpuni Tauwhāinga is a tool that can assist students, whānau, hapū, marae, schools, teachers, principals, boards of trustees and communities to co-construct a set of ‘cultural’ standards that incorporate students’ cultural awareness and wellness into their classrooms and schools.
The project’s primary aim is to contribute to student achievement outcomes by supporting Iwi, hapū and whānau to develop and strengthen their knowledge and ability to have greater involvement in education, and to strengthen student engagement in mainstream education. In doing so, Te Pae Huarewa contributes to the fulfilment and realisation of the Ngati Kahungunu Mātauranga goals of facilitating pathways for whānau, hapū, marae, taiwhenua and hāpori:
- To be Kahungunu
- To be healthy and enjoy a high standard of living
- To participate as contributing citizens in the world
The project initially aligned with a number of important documents and strategies that were developed by Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated and all of its stakeholders as well as those policies and initiatives developed by the Ministry of Education including:
- Ngāti Kahungunu 25 Year Vision 2002 - 2027;
- Ngāti Kahungunu Matauranga Plan 2003 - 2005;
- Te Mahere Rautaki Hai Haumanu i Te Reo o Ngāti Kahungunu 2006 - 2027 (Strategic Plan for the Revitalization of Te Reo o Ngāti Kahungunu); Ngāti Kahungunu Community Based Language Initiative;
- Ka Hikitia: Managing for Success: The Māori Education Strategy 2008 - 2012;
- The New Zealand Curriculum;
- Better Relationships for Better Learning.
Involvement from Early Chidhood Centres and Schools in the Ngāti Kahungunu region.
At the outset of the project in 2008, a Ngāti Kahungunu Cultural Standards review form was sent out to Early Childhood Centres and Schools in the Ngāti Kahungunu region. The information provided helped to identify how Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated could assist and support education providers in our region. A summary of Key Findings was compiled and this is provided for your information and consideration. Click on the links below:
Summary of Key Findings from Schools
Summary of Key Findings from Early Childhood Centres
Te Tōpuni Tauwhāinga
Based on extensive consultation with whānau, hapū, and iwi, and the education sector, the Ngāti Kahungunu Cultural Standards Framework, the Te Tōpuni Tauwhāinga framework was developed. Further information and a copy of Te Tōpuni Tauwhāinga can be viewed here.
Te Pae Huarewa Milestone Reports
To gain a greater insight into Te Pae Huarewa, its development and implementation in the last four years throughout the cluster pilot centres and schools in the Ngāti Kahungunu rohe, click on the following links that take you to the executive summary of each milestone report (a total of nine reports over two phases of the project):
2009
2010 - 2011
Key People Involved in the Te Pae Huarewa Project
- Dr. James Graham, Pouhāpai - Project Manager and Joint Project Team member: james@kahungunu.iwi.nz
- Jeremy MacLeod, Pouarataki - Director and Joint Project Team member: jeremy@kahungunu.iwi.nz
- Kahungunu Reference Group: - Associate-Professor Huia Jahnke, Heke Huata, Beth Dixon, Hawea Tomoana, Justin Roberts, Mandy Jackson, Jeremy MacLeod, Dr. James Graham.
- Joint Project Team: - Ngaire Aben, Doug Putaranui, Hone Kaiwai, Awhina Waaka, Associate-Professor Huia Jahnke, Dr. James Graham, Jeremy MacLeod.
Who do I contact for more information?
Please feel encouraged to make contact with the project staff by email or phone 06-876-2718 to ask any questions about the Te Pae Huarewa - Ngāti Kahungunu Cultural Standards Project.
Ngāti Kahungunu Cultural Standards Project Update
Based on extensive consultation with whānau, hapū, and iwi, and the education sector we have completed a draft of the Ngāti Kahungunu Cultural Standards Framework which is called Te Tōpuni Tauwhāinga. Further information and a copy of the draft of Te Tōpuni Tauwhāinga can be viewed here.
Latest Project Updates
Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated have recently entered into a formal agreement with the Ministry of Education that sees the continued development, imlpementation and evaluation of the Te Pae Huarewa Project from April 2012 - March 2014. The project will be simultaneously run alongside a review of the Ngāti Kahungunu Mātauranga Plan 2003 - 2005, a review of Te Mahere Rautaki Hai Haumanu i Te Reo o Ngāti Kahungunu 2006 - 2027 (Strategic Plan for the Revitalization of Te Reo o Ngāti Kahungunu), and Implementation Plans for each of the Mātauranga and Te Reo Strategies. The six outputs for this agreement are:
l. Output 1: Te Pae Huarewa – Te Whakaohotanga
ll. Output 2: Te Pae Huarewa – Te Tōpuni Tauwhāinga
lll. Output 3: Te Pae Huarewa – Te Mana Āhua Ake o Kahungunu
lV. Output 4: Phase 2 – Te Arotake i Te Mahere Rautaki Mātauranga o Ngāti Kahungunu
V. Output 5: Te Arotake me te Whakahou i Te Mahere Rautaki Hai Haumanu i Te Reo o Ngāti Kahungunu 2006-2027
Vl. Output 6: Phase 2 – Ngāti Kahungunu Education Implementation Plan 2013 - 2016.
A communication strategy (currently in draft form) is being developed to assist the next phase of Te Pae Huarewa, click on this link to view and or have your say: Te Pae Huarewa Communication Strategy. |
