Turanga Ararau's hidden treasures

Turanga Ararau is the Tertiary Education Provider of Te Runanga O Turanga nui ā kiwa. At Turanga Ararau's Gisborne facilities an old garage has been turned into an up-to-date land-based marine farm. This has been done using some of the latest marine technology, including a model recirculation system to recycle seawater.

This land-based marine farm is used for teaching levels three and four courses towards the National Certificate in Seafood with a strand in Aquaculture.

"Science and mathematics are frequently avoided by Māori, but here they are integrated into the programmes and enjoyed by learners. This compliments the natural affinity Māori have with the environment and the sea," says Programme Coordinator Aroha Ria.

A balance of practical and theoretical learning is provided, which enables graduates to become part of a fast growing and innovative industry that's suited to iwi and regional development. The qualification offers skills and knowledge necessary for day-to-day land and sea-based marine farming and key requirements for employment or advanced learning in the industry. Over the past four years, over 60 people have graduated with either the level three or four qualifications or both.

As Manager Sharon Maynard puts it, "Turanga Ararau is the only education provider with an on-site marine farm available to students for both learning and research, and we are working with the Auckland University of Technology to develop a research project in aquaculture and a Diploma in Aquaculture in 2006. We are fortunate to have on staff tutors Marc Ferris, who is completing a Masters in Marine Science; Ray Mihaka, who is a graduate of previous courses and holds both the levels three and four national certificates; and Programme Coordinator Aroha Ria."

Turanga Ararau was registered as a tertiary education provider with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) in 1991 and accredited with NZQA in 1996 to provide a range of qualifications in industries relevant to iwi development. Sharon says, "Since then, Turanga Ararau has continued to extend its accreditation, enabling it to provide higher levels and a wider range of qualifications, consistent with its key role, which is to provide and promote the skills, knowledge and qualifications to enable iwi to manage, advance and control cultural and economic resources, being the land, the forests, the sea and most importantly our people."

For more information on their courses, go to www.turanga-ararau.org.nz.

The National Certificate in Seafood provides unit standards in abalone farming, recirculation system, abalone, oyster and mussel biology, water testing, aquaculture design, hatchery techniques, marine ecology, health and safety, seafood spoilage, environment issues, tikanga ā iwi, and computing.