College update March 2012

Annual College Dinner

On Wednesday 1 February, the College held its second Annual Raupatu Memorial Dinner. The guest speaker for the evening was the Hon Dr Wayne Mapp. Dr Mapp retired from parliament prior to the 2011 elections and in his last term held the research and science innovation portfolio. His speech reflected on the role and position of the College as a tribal research entity, and posed questions on how the College might contribute to advancing knowledge and understanding of critical issues affecting tribal and national interests.

Taahuhu Maatauranga Maaori Programme

A unique postgraduate programme designed to teach tribal knowledge traditions, is the latest academic programme to be offered at the College. Taahuhu Maatauranga Maaori, a residential programme developed by Te Waananga o Raukawa (TWoR) will commence in March, with enrolments now open for the two-year programme.

Prospective students do not necessarily need a bachelor’s degree to enrol on the programme – but need to be competent in speaking and writing in Maaori.

The programme will cover eight subject areas, taught in a monthly residential seminar and kura waananga environment over two years. The final year will support students through their research journey to complete a thesis specific to their whaanau, hapuu or iwi.

TWoR Senior Lecturers who will teach on the programme include Pakake Winiata, Charles Te Ahukaramu Royal and Te Awanuiaarangi Black. They will be supported by local Waikato-Tainui based guest speakers who will be invited to present on various subject areas.

Fees for the course are approximately $4,000 per year. This fee covers the full cost of participating in the waananga including accommodation and meals at the College.

The delivery of this programme will be formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing between the College and the Waananga on March 29. 

MBA Programme

Progress on the MBA has been rewarding, as we constantly work towards ensuring our participants are well supported and that their journey on the programme remains positive.

Following a two month break from studies; our returning participants also hosted two inspirational guest speakers. Fraser Whineray, the General Manager of Operations for Mighty River Power delivered key messages about the Energy sector and Supply Chain - issues that are faced by his organisation.

Hemi Rolleston of Ngaai Te Rangi, Te Arawa descent and CEO of Te Awanui Huka Pak shared the experiences of his company and where they hope to progress to in the future. Both guest speakers presented on the business complexities faced by organisations locally and internationally.

On February 16, we also welcomed new participants to Part One of the programme. Many are new faces to the College, travelling as far as Okaihau in the North to Oopootiki on the Coast, with participants represented from iwi all over the motu. Our new participants are looking forward to the completion of their studies in 2014. If you’re interested in finding out more about the programme, please feel free to make direct contact with Natalie Lulia, our co-ordinator for the MBA programme.

Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Otago

In February, Waikato-Tainui and the University of Waikato signed a MoU to formalise the relationship between Waikato-Tainui and the University of Otago. The relationship began with a research partnership between Raukura Hauora o Tainui and the University’s Dentistry Faculty. The College, Raukura Hauora o Tainui and the University are partners in the Mana o te Whaanau research project which studies maamaa and their peepi understanding and knowledge of oral hygiene. The MoU is a significant step for Waikato-Tainui in establishing an ongoing relationship with the University of Otago, not just in the Mana o te Whaanau project, but for other research projects as well.

Research Update

Te Mana o te Whaanau is one of the primary foci for the College for the next four years. Raukura Hauora staff began approaching maamaa in December to take part in the research. Kay Berryman has recently joined our team as a researcher on this project and together with Raukura Hauora and College staff will be working with maamaa to find ways that they can look after their own dental health as well as the dental health of their peepi. Participation in the project is voluntary. If you are interested in participating or want to know more information about the project, contact us here at the College.

The College, in partnership with Waahi Whaanui Trust and the University of Waikato, is researching fishing activity over the past five years in the Waikato and Waipa Rivers and their catchments. This project gathers baseline information about the state of the fishery to assist with development of regulations for both rivers. If you are a customary or recreational fisher and are interested in answering a questionnaire, please contact us here at the College.

Upcoming Seminar Series

Over 2012 we will be convening a series of four seminars. Seminars will be based on the strategic goals of Waikato-Tainui as expressed in Whakatupuranga 2050: Kiingitanga, Tribal Identity and Integrity, Tribal Success and Tribal Social and Economic Wellbeing.

The College wants to encourage students at the Masters and PhD levels who have received scholarship funding from the tribe to send in expressions of interest to present under one of these four themes. If you are not already registered as a Waikato-Tainui alumnus, please register on our website.

Further information

For more information on any of the kaupapa mentioned in our College update, please feel free to contact us here at the College, Phone: 07 824 5430 Email: info@waikatotainui.ac.nz or via our online enquiry form on our website: www.waikatotainui.ac.nz