Mau Rakau assessment resources available

New assessment resources for Mau Rakau (Māori weaponry) are now available in the Māori Performing Arts section of Field Māori, to assist providers teach this subject.

The resources include assessment guides and copies of the unit standards. Also, a new dvd or video of performance examples at expected competency levels is available.

These Mau Rakau standards and the accompanying resources have been created by the whakaruruhau for Mau Rakau. Donna Grant, whakaruruhau chair and National Moderator (*) for Māori Performing Arts, says a rich array of experts assisted with the process. "My role was to co-ordinate their expertise. We had acknowledged experts like Chris Winitana, Tuikiterangi Curtis, Wetini Mitai-Ngatai and Howard Morrison."

"I think it's really important that we give providers as much assistance as possible, so their learners can get validation of their Mau Rakau skills. It also gives providers the opportunity to introduce an exciting new physical resource," says Donna.

This qualification will also assist Māori to obtain validation for their knowledge in Māori skills. "More often than not, these learners have been cubby-holed as failures, whereas with Mau Rakau, and indeed Kapahaka, they already have skills and strengths to build on, and the validation of these skills can help Māori identify who they are in the world," says Donna.

Future developments in Māori Performing Arts (MPA) will include the development of unit standards at levels one and three. At present, MPA is only available at level two and level four. "With levels one and three in the pipeline, there is ample opportunity to develop a national certificate in MPA," says Donna.

"As a national moderator for MPA, it's exciting that so many schools are engaging with the MPA curriculum. Once New Māori Dance, New Māori Music and Mau Rakau become more widely avaliable, they too will enjoy the same popularity as Kapahaka. So many students aim to go to competitions like Ngā Manu Kōrero and the National Secondary Schools Kapahaka Competitions. Kapahaka is everywhere these days and schools are recognising that it is of great value to students. The popularity of Kapahaka in schools will continue to grow, as in time will these other disciplines."

If you would like a copy of this dvd or video, you can email Māori Qualifications Services at mqs@nzqa.govt.nz. More Information can be found on the NZQA website at www.nzqa.govt.nz/for-maori/resources/.

* A person with the expertise to confirm that students are assessed at the required standard