New asessment resources for
are now available in the Māori Performing Arts section of Field Māori, to assist providers to 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 Rākau standards and the accompanying resources have been created by the whakaruruhau for Mau Rākau. Donna Grant,
, 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 Rākau 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 Rākau, 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 levels one and three in Mau Rākau. A t 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 Rākau become more widely known, 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."
All Field Māori assessment resources are being brought together in one easy-to-use CD-ROM.
This new resource, developed by NZQA's Māori Qualifications Services unit, will be available free to providers from January 2006. To be eligible providers must be registered and accredited to offer Field Māori qualifications.
Keri-Anne Stephens, of Māori Qualifications Services at NZQA, says the CD-ROM will give people with limited access to the internet an easier way of finding the resources they need to help their learners.
"The CD-ROM is easy to use and is exclusively about Field Māori assessment, which makes it easier for teachers of Field Māori to find exactly what they need," says Keri-Anne.
To place an order for the CD-ROM, you can contact NZQA's Māori Qualifications Services, or call (04) 463-3015. Please include the name of the provider you are ordering for.
To become a registered and accredited provider, contact NZQA's Approvals, Accreditation and Audit (AAA) unit, or by calling AAA on (04) 463-3000.
