Tauira Maori Support Manukau Institute of Technology Te Whare Takiura o Manukau

1. Tauira Maori SupportManukau Institute of TechnologyTe WhareTakiura o Manukau How much support is there for Maori students at MIT?

2. Designated Maori Support Positions • Kaumatua /Kuia – Institute Wide • Kaiawhina – Kaitiaki of Nga Kete Wananga • Kaiawhina – School of Health Studies (part time) • Maori Learning Advisor – Institute Wide • Maori Advisor - Institute Wide • Maori Liaison Officer

3. Support within the Institute

4. Powhiri - Welcome • The institute encourages departments to participate in the powhiri held over three days at the commencement of each semester • These are arranged by the Student Life Team, Maori Advisor and the Kaumatua/Kuia/kaiawhina • Departments also have an opportunity to arrange their own powhiri with the kaumatua/Kuia/kaiawhina

5. Awhi - Embrace • Once students have been enrolled, Student Life Team organise class talks to students, department talks to staff • The Institutes Student Guide contains information specific to Maori Students. • Department handbooks contain or reference made to the same information as in the Student Guide • Students are contacted by the Maori Advisor at the start of each semester • Monthly meetings over lunch are organised • Health Studies students are supported by their kaiawhina

6. Tautoko - Support • Maori Advisor contributes to the pastoral support of students in a number of areas, i.e. Financial, childcare, social support, accommodation etc • Student Life Team have a number of external agencies (Maori) on hand to assist our Tauira • Maori Learning advisor provides Academic Support • Peer support, opportunity available, whanau room nurses, whanau room at Te Tari • Tauira are also directed to Kaumatua/Kuia

7. Manaaki - Respect • In all areas, pastoral and academic assistance confidentiality is paramount • Families are contacted only at the request of students • External agencies are guided by the Institutes Privacy Policy • Issues are dealt with in respect of the tauira

8. Ārahi - Guidance • Guidance is given in terms of integrating into the MIT culture by departments • Departments are accountable for ensuring Rules and regulations are explained and given to Students • Guidance to achievable outcomes by departments • Guidance given to Departments by Maori Advisor • Absentee issues • Concerns in regards to Maori students • Tangihanga and bereavement support • Funding and Grants

9. Mutunga- Graduate • The main Institute Graduation Ceremony (degree level) assistance from the kaumatua/kuia/kaiawhina • Maori Graduation organised by Te Amorangi Office • Many of the department graduation ceremonies are held at the Institute’s Marae, all ceremonies there are guided again by the kaumatua, kuia and kaiawhina • Graduation statistics

10. Statistics • 2008 – 49 Graduates • 2009 – 22 Graduands • Institute Target for 2008 Completion 66% • Target Achieved for 2008 64%

11. Graduate Statistics

15. The Role of Kaumatua/Kuia/kaiawhina Kaumātua/Kuia • Chief advisory on Māori protocol in cultural and ceremonial matters • Oversee all areas of the Institute with respect to Tikanga Māori • Represent the Institute on the wider community • Act as kaitiaki for the Marae • Conduct and / or arrange ceremonies on the Marae • Undertake pastoral care for current Māori students • Advise on Tikanga Māori in the development of curricula as requested Kaiawhina - To service Nga Kete Wananga Marae, by performing cleaning and housekeeping duties as required and provide support for MIT Kaumatua and Kuia

16. The Role of the Kaiawhina - HS • Solely to awhi and tautoko nursing students • Hikoi • Kapahaka • Tikanga • Pastoral • Academic

17. The Role of the Learning Advisor Maori(Academic Support) • To offer a wide range of academic support within an inviting and friendly environment • To empower students’ learning by providing individual and/ or small group academic sessions • To provide study & learning strategies to enhance & develop their own active styles of learning • To liaise with staff and provide in-class support and/ or workshops tailored to meet the needs of students • Maintain continual dialogue with departments in regards to developments and progressions of student referrals made by staff (attendance, advancements…)

18. The Role of the Maori Advisor • Pastoral support for maori Students • Advise to Departments on Maori student issues • Maintain statistics for Maori students • Support for departments with high concentration of Maori students • Follow up on early intervention of absentee issues • Initiate contact with all Maori students

21. Institute Strategy • Powhiri • Monthly Hui – Shared Lunch • Activites • Hikoi • Pastoral Support • Academic Support • Kaumatua/Kuia/Kaiawhina Support • Department Support • Marae Availability – Wananga • Maori Staff participation

22. Conclusion • I guess “YES” there is assistance for Maori students • All support area’s accessible and publicised • The underlying tensions are: • “Students not wanting to participate” • Continuous reiteration to departments of the support available • Continuity right across the Institute • Do we allow them to be Maori?