Māori landowners in the Bay of Plenty next year will be the first in the country to study towards Te Manu Taiko – Toro Parirau (Kaupae 4) New Zealand Certificate in Māori Governance (Level 4).
The new certificate has been developed by the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, working with Te Tumu Paeroa.
Deputy Māori Trustee Tiaki Hunia says the custodial responsibilities that Māori have in regard to protecting our land have been passed down through the generations.
“But these days, it’s also coupled with significant legal and financial responsibilities. If you haven’t grown up with spread sheets, being a trustee can be complicated and confusing. And it’s hard work.”
“We wanted to develop a programme that would help Māori be better trustees for their land, and we wanted it to have Matauranga Māori at its heart.”
Te Tumu Paeroa approached the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic to develop and run the course.
“They are the education specialists and know about developing courses. But we are the Māori land specialists, and we understand the responsibilities and the aspirations that Māori owners have for their land,” Tiaki says.
“As well as being marae-based, the programme is underpinned by the values of kotahitanga, whanaungatanga, kaitiakitanga, te tika me te pono, and rangatiratanga. It will be a completely different and unique course from anything else on offer, and we think the skills participants gain will really support the development of land around the country.”
Early interest in the course has been high, with many participants on a short financial literacy course early this year, expressing a hunger for more of this type of learning.
“We got a great response to those financial courses, with everyone who took part saying they would recommend it to their whanau. In fact some wanted such training to be compulsory for anyone who wanted to be a trustee!”
Kieran Hewitson, Director of Education and Māori Development at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic says the polytechnic is excited about the opportunity to work with Te Tumu Paeroa and Māori communities.
“The programme has been designed to support trustees to learn the ins and outs of trustee responsibilities in this modern age, and to be delivered in a manner that makes it accessible for trustees who often have multi demands on their time.”
The pilot course will start in April with the view to start extending it later next year. For more information about the course and enrolment process visit Bay of Plenty Polytechnic here.
