Paenga whāwhā 2004

New qualifications lead to careers in Māori tourism
Marae catering update
Te Kura Motuhake o te Ataarangi ki te Wairoa student profiles

New qualifications lead to careers in Māori tourism

Last month NZQA launched three new qualifications in Māori tourism.

The qualifications - National Certificates in Tourism Māori levels 3 and 4 and the National Diploma in Tourism Māori level 5 are part of field Māori on the National Qualifications Framework.

They were developed by the NZQA in consultation with a panel of experts in the business of Māori tourism.

The new qualifications will train people to promote, enhance and protect Māori tourism, as well as recognise the skills and knowledge of people already working in the industry.

Associate Minister for Tourism Dover Samuels hosted the official launch at a special ceremony at Parliament in February.

Prime Minister Helen Clark, Māori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia and Associate Māori Affairs Minister John Tamihere all made unscheduled appearances and gave impromptu speeches.

All speeches acknowledged the role of NZQA and, in particular, the Māori Qualifications Service (MQS).

Minister Samuels told those gathered at the launch that education was the key to encouraging Māori to find opportunities in the tourism industry and allow for the momentum of progress to continue.

It was also important, he said, to give those who were already in the industry the motivation to learn and grow while at the same time encouraging young ones to enter the industry.

"Education is the means by which they will be able to keep the industry sustainable, maintain the economic and cultural value of Māori tourism and, most importantly to allow Māori to achieve their aspirations."

It was important that Māori own and operate their own ventures, he said.

"Māori studying at this level are getting qualifications directly related to helping them get jobs, set up their own businesses and be involved in all facets of the economy, particularly in those industries that have a strong Māori presence," Mr Samuels said.

Although the qualifications are new, the Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) is already well on track to be the first provider in Aotearoa to the offer the level 3 qualification and will take their first students in semester 2.

Executive Director of Academic Development at MIT, Grace Sylvester said the new qualification was an exciting step towards increasing participation by Māori in the New Zealand economy.

"MIT is enthusiastic about being able to offer a qualification that is tailored to meet a growing demand for Māori tourism products and professional services," she said.

NZQA chief executive, Karen Van Rooyen said the success of the launch highlighted the respect with which the MQS was regarded within the Māori and wider political and education communities.

"The dedication of NZQA's MQS team and the various whakaruruhau over the past ten years has seen the group of field Māori qualifications grow to cover over 600 unit standards, nine National Certificates and five National Diplomas.

"Many of these qualifications are specifically related to industries in which Māori are particularly involved in," Ms Van Rooyen said.

"Field Māori qualifications will continue to move from strength to strength as will the people who achieve them," she said.

Marae catering update

The inaugural hui of the Māori Qualifications Service's Marae Catering Whakaruruhau Working Party was held at Tauhei Marae (Ngati Wairere) in Waikato on 29 and 30 January.

The skill of marae catering is a fundamental part of Maoritanga so the project aims to provide recognition of those already working on the marae; encourage local youth to become more involved on the marae; and to attain national qualifications and pathways to further learning or employment.

Marae catering is not just the preparation and delivery of food, but the way in which Māori do this is integral to their culture. It involves skills that recognise Māori pedagogy and intellectual knowledge, and include tikānga and manāakitanga.

We would like to announce the appointment of the first Chairman of the Whakaruruhau, Ms Sharon Wallace.

Māori Qualifications Service would like to thank and acknowledge the

• excellent hospitality shown to the group during its stay at Tauhei Marae. Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa o Ngati Wairere
• Chief Executive of the Hospitality Standards Institute, Steve Hanrahan for his attendance at the inaugural hui, and the continued involvement and support given to the kaupapa
• Alison Batley for her continued participation in the Whakaruruhau Working Party. Alison is the Quality Assurance Manager for HSI.

Te Kura Motuhake o te Ataarangi ki te Wairoa student profiles

The following student profiles are of Māori women who are currently studying the National Māori Certificates, Te Waharoa (level 2) and Ngutu Awa (level 4) at Te Kura Motuhake o te Ataarangi, ki Wairoa. Both are general certificates that recognise a range of Māori skills, knowledge and tikanga at different levels.

Profile of Alex-Ann Edwards

Ko Whakapunake te maunga whakaruruhau
Ko Te Wairoa-hopūpū-honengenenge-matangirau te awa e rere ana
Ko Takitimu te waka tapu
Ko Ruawharo te tohunga nui
Ko Takitimu hoki te marae
Ko Rotoaatara Paia Te Rangi te hapū
Ko Ngati Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa te iwi
Ko Alex-Ann Edwards tōku ingoa
Tihei Mauri Ora

The subjects of the Ngutu Awa certificate that I covered this year were

• Te Reo Māori
• Te Aho Wahine
• Māori Performance
• Kōrero me ngā Reo.

I learnt these at Te Kura Motuhake o te Ataarangi ki te Wairoa in the last three years. We were assessed through the rākau method, presentations, kapa haka, trips, people coming in for lectures and mahi at the marae.

In my opinion, this tohu is different to those I have already received, like the School Certificate, Bursary and the National Certificate. Those tohu focussed mainly on te reo Māori. But the Ngutu Awa broadens that and focuses on the reo, tikanga of the marae and kapa haka.

Next year I plan to stay at Te Ataarangi to do the Diploma in Te Reo Māori. After that, if something presents itself in front of me, well, that will be a new path for me to walk.

"Whaia e koe te iti kahurangi, ki te tōhu koe, me maunga teitei."

"Seek the treasure you value most dearly. If you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain."

Profile of Carmyn Williams

I started Te Kura Motuhake o te Ataarangi ki te Wairoa in 2001 and passed my levels 1and 2 (Waharoa, which is equivalent to School Certificate Māori). This year I sat and passed my level 3 and 4 (Ngutu Awa Certificate / National Certificate and Bursary in te reo Māori.)

To obtain these qualifications, I was assessed on my ability to: complete written assignments, research and stand and speak incorporating PowerPoint skills and other required sources.

At the end of this year, through Te Ataarangi I receive my National Certificate in Te Reo Māori. The Ngutu Awa Certificate is different again. As well as covering te reo Māori, it also covers knowledge in waiata, Māori performance, preparation and organisation of marae protocol. The National Certificate only allows for the speaking and writing of te reo Māori.

Next year I will be studying my level 5 certificate - a step towards the diploma in level 6, which I hope to achieve the following year. After that I plan to do a Bachelor degree in te reo Māori.

My children are my inspiration, through their encouragement and undying support; they have instilled within me the strength to endure any difficulties and challenges that may lay ahead.

"Ahakoa ngā ūauatanga, taumahatanga hoki
Kia kaha, kia toa, kia manawanui"

"Although the difficulties and the burdens
Be strong, be brave, be stout-hearted."

Profile of Irirangi Betty Anne Whaanga

Ko Taupiri te maunga
Ko Waikokopu te awa
Ko Takitimu te waka
Ko Ruawharo te marae
Ko Ihaka Whaanga te tangata
Ko Ruawharawhara te urupa
Ko Ngai Tama te hapu
Ko RONGOMAIWAHINE te iwi

Ko Irirangi Betty Anne Whaanga taku ingoa.
Ko au tetahi tamaiti o Edith Irirau rāua ko Moana Whaanga.
E noho ana ahau i te poho o Rongomaiwahine.

Nō reira
Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.

Ko ngā take mō tēnei tohu "Ngutu Awa"

• Ko te reo Māori
• Ko te aho wahine
• Kapa haka
• Kōrero me ngā reo

Nā ngā āhuatanga whakaako katoa e kawe nei te Ataarangi ki Te Wairoa pera i ngā mahi rakau me ngā marae noho, i ako matou i ēnei pukenga.

Ko tēnei taku tau tua toru i te Ataarangi. Mai te mutunga o te tau ka whiwhi au ngā tohu

• Tuara
• Tinana
• Rakeitanga

NZQA qualifications:

• National Certificate in Maori (Waharoa) (Level 2)
• National Certificate in Maori (Te Ngutu Awa) (Level 4)

Ka hoki mai ahau ki te ako, anō a te tau e tu mai, ka whiwhi ahau i te Kaupae tuarima; he tohu hei whakatuwhera te huarahi kia ahei taku haerenga ki te Kaupae tuaono.

"Ko te manu e kai ana te miro, nōna te ngahere
Ko te manu e kai ana te matauranga, nona te ao."