Governance - new on the Framework

New unit standards to assist Māori in the governance of their resources have been registered in Field Māori on the National Qualifications Framework.

These standards, which span Governance of Iwi Authorities, have been created to help Māori learn the skills needed to manage their resources effectively. It is envisaged that studying for this qualification will help prepare Māori for managing assets from Treaty of Waitangi settlements.

According to Jim Gray, chairman for the Whakaruruhau for Governance, studying for this qualification will help prepare learners for the business opportunities that will result from Waitangi settlements. He warns that because the treaty settlements will take place only once, Māori need to make the most of the opportunity.

"Treaty of Waitangi settlements mean particular governance challenges for recipients. Māori have not had a lot of experience in the governance of major business operations, yet this is going to be required as a result of settlements. We're only going to get one shot at this, and if it doesn't work we're not going to get a second opportunity or be able to run Waitangi claims again because we didn't make a good job of it. We need educated people to take control of the assets resulting from these settlements."

Governance standards have been developed to assist those interested in managing assets for their whānau, iwi or hapū.

"Students interested in joining a governance board resulting from Waitangi settlements need to understand that there is a lot of work involved in reaching that level. Governance board members need a high skill level, not only in governance, but also in the areas of business acumen, industry experience and qualifications as well," says Jim.

You can find out more about these standards by contacting Māori Qualifications Services at mqs@nzqa.govt.nz. If you are a provider and would like to extend your accreditation to include governance, then you need to get in touch with NZQA's Accreditation, Approvals and Audit unit by emailing aaa@nzqa.govt.nz (see page 16).

"Educators with an interest in the development of Māori have a responsibility to ensure that people have had quality training in this area, and, not only that, there has to be the experience to get out and walk the talk and to practise what they have learnt in real situations," says Jim Gray.