Postcards from Aotearoa

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.

A brochure explaining the new qualifications can be ordered from NZQA in hard copy or viewed on our website

They were developed by 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).

Students from Te Kura Motuhake o te Ataarangi, Wairoa performed waiata at the launch.

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."

Students from Te Kura Motuhake o te Ataarangi, Wairoa performed waiata at the launch.

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 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.

Associate Minister of Tourism Dover Samuels, Prime Minister Helen Clark and Manukau Institute of Technology Grace Sylvester speaking at the launch.

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," Ms Van Rooyen said.

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