Te Tapuae o Rehua

The unique partnership between Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and five tertiary institutions within the Ngāi Tahu rohe (University of Otago, University of Canterbury, Lincoln University, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology and Otago Polytechnic) continues to work collaboratively to increase the number of Māori entering tertiary education and succeeding through to post graduate level and research. Supporting Māori academic endeavour is also a priority and in 2008 the first Māori Research Symposium was held at the University of Canterbury.

Working at the secondary school level is critical in ensuring that rangatahi understand and can negotiate the pathway through NCEA and gain entrance to university and tertiary study. The Tū Kanohi Ora programme has been extended to eight secondary schools in 2008-2009 and has used research informed strategies to strengthen its impact. The expertise of our partner institutions and the use of tertiary student role models in such events as Tū Mai Rakatahi and Tahuti Mai is being expanded. Seeking new forms of collaboration to use the strengths of the partnership remains a key focus in expanding educational horizons for Māori. Working in a complementary way with the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu education team and engaging with rūnanga education portfolio holders has ensured that Te Tapuae o Rehua maintains essential links to Ngāi Tahu Whānui and iwi-focussed strategies. Alignment with clear educational aspirations as expressed by Ngāi Tahu is critical to future success.

The development of a new strategic plan for Te Tapuae is underway. Responding and adapting to changes in the political and educational environment while remaining true to our core kaupapa is critical to our effectiveness. This will see the development of new projects and initiatives over the coming year.