Hauora review generates promotion

A recent review of the Hauora qualifications saw Tania Saggers of the Māori Qualifications Service (MQS) and whakaruruhau chair Jolene Grace tour Aotearoa in an effort to invigorate and revive the Hauora qualification scene.

The tour was spread over four weeks and began in Whangarei moving through Auckland, Invercargill, Christchurch, Napier, Hastings, Gisborne, Rotorua, Turangi and ended in Hamilton.

The latest Hauora review was the reason for the promotion. For some of the providers it was the first they had heard about the existence of NZQA accredited Hauora qualifications and field M ?ori, says Jolene.

“It’s quite obvious to me and to the industry that there isn’t enough material available that promotes the framework or field Māori, ? she said.

“It is evident from these visits that the only reason for the slow uptake was because people and their organisations simply did not know that such qualifications existed and this was evident across the country.?

Tracey Wright of Oraka Aparima Health Services in Invercargill was thrilled with the qualifications and said, The only thing we’ve ever done on the NZQA framework was First aid. It makes so much sense to offer a qualification in Hauora because one thing that we are committed to as an organisation is developing skills through training. But, we’re not always doing this with NZQA accreditation, this new qualification means staff will be getting real recognition for what they have done,? she said.

The National Certificate in Hauora (Level 4) is an introductory qualification that recognises knowledge and skills related to M ?ori Health initiatives, key concepts of hauora and community health programmes. The National Diploma (Level 5) recognises advanced knowledge, skills and application in hauora. The core compulsory unit standards extend the learner’s competency in te reo Māori which can assist their interaction with M ?ori client groups. Tikanga is interwoven through all practices of hauora relevant to the rohe and includes interaction with wh_nau, hap_ and iwi.