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Ruakere Hond pictured at Tuia Te Ako 2012.
Image Credit: Ako Aotearoa.
TUIA TE AKO
2012
Innovative research on marae
and Mäori community-based
adult learning was unveiled at the
second Mäori tertiary education
hui, Tuia Te Ako 2012, held in
Wellington in March.
The two-day conference was hosted by Ako
Aotearoa – the National Centre for Tertiary
Teaching Excellence – and sponsored by Te
Puni Kökiri.
Notable Mäori research projects supported
by Ako Aotearoa through its national and
regional funding initiatives were showcased
throughout the event programme including
Tahia te Marae, Tahia te Wänanga.
This research project by Te Kupenga
Mätauranga o Taranaki contributes new
knowledge about how mätauranga Mäori
adult community courses delivered in
Mäori settings contribute to addressing
community aspirations for the development
of Taranaki Mäori cultural practices and
regional cohesion.
A founding member of Te Kupenga and a
Mäori Language Commissioner, Ruakere Hond
presented the research at Tuia Te Ako 2012.
Ngahiwi Apanui – kaihautü Mäori (senior
Mäori development manager) at Ako
Aotearoa – says the project offers an
excellent template for other community and
marae-based adult education courses to
build capability and strengthen communities.
Literature relating to the impact of maraebased
adult community education courses
that support the learning of Mäori practices
is scarce to non-existent, says Mr Apanui.
“This research reinforces the value of
informal adult community teaching and
learning on marae and Mäori community
settings for Taranaki and the need for further
development in this area.
“While the acquisition of knowledge that
may be applied in a variety of fields is
useful, this research suggests that the
process of learning
in marae and
Mäori community
environments
and the link
to community
development may
be the key value
of courses in these
contexts.
“The findings are
likely to have wider
application and
be relevant not
only within the
Taranaki region
but for teaching
and learning for
TUIA TE AKO 2012
Mäori-based adult education environments
around the country. The findings may also
be of interest to other indigenous peoples
internationally.”
The study identified that there is significant
value in informal adult teaching and learning
on marae or in Mäori community settings:
• The demonstration of tangible ways in
which those courses contribute to meeting
Taranaki Mäori aspirations.
• The location of courses within Mäori
communities contributes to reinforcing a
sense of localised identity.
• The courses build local capacity that
enable communities to take on other
projects thereby empowering them to
build their own capacity.
• Course delivery in Mäori settings
validates local knowledge and supports its
acquisition, application and transmission
with real life cultural contexts.
Champions of excellence in tertiary teaching
and learning in New Zealand, Ako Aotearoa
provides strategic and sustainable support
for Mäori educators and learners.
For more information, and to download the
summary document or full report of Tahia te
Marae, Tahia te Wänanga, go to
www.akoaotearoa.ac.nz/kupenga.
TE PUNI KÖ KIRI | KÖ KIRI | NGAHURU / AUTUMN 2012
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