PAMELA Matehuirua supports students to build confidence in their spoken reo with a new immersion course at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Te Kūiti campus. PHOTO: SIGRID CHRISTIANSEN
IMMERSION is the goal of a new level three-to-four te reo Māori course at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Te Kūiti campus.
Kaiako Pamela Matehuirua will deliver the course, Te Pūtaketanga o te Reo (Rumaki).
Tauira (students) will build confidence in their spoken reo, first in the classroom and eventually in places like the home and the workplace.
“That’s our goal. Month after month we will just add something to our little kete or little basket of learning. And then progress from there,” Pamela said.
“The programme is full immersion. Not saying that it’s going to be [entirely] spoken te reo Māori as we need to get to that point first but surrounded by all things Māori. We will utilise audio visual and other activities.”
As well as two days a week of regular class times, there will be six one-day wānanga and two noho marae.
In the latter, the group will attend two significant events to enhance their learning in ngā tikanga te reo Māori: one outside the Maniapoto area and one local, Pamela said.
Tauira will visit Turangawaewae Marae for the Te Koroneihana (coronation) festivities. The ceremony marks the reign of the current Māori King; Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII.
At the Te Koroneihana, students would hear different dialects of the language. “A lot of iwi get together and within that gathering, it’s giving [tauira] that experience: seeing and listening to the various forms of te reo Māori,” Pamela said.
Another class trip will be to one of Pamela’s own marae, Poohara near Cambridge, to attend a Poukai ceremony. The “time of remembrance,” is convened to offer support to the destitute, widows and orphans. Students would also experience customs such as the pōwhiri, welcoming them on to the marae.
The course is aimed at students who have gone beyond the basics even if they have only recently reached that level. They do not have to be confident speakers.
“We would prefer those who have a little bit of reo, or understanding or experiences in te reo Māori,” Pamela said. That was because staff wanted students to feel comfortable and not struggle too much with the programme.
Students should enroll as soon as possible to ensure a place in the programme. As an entry requirement, they will need to attend an information session or come in for an interview.
The course will run for 40 weeks, with a four-week break. It finishes at the end of the year. The wānanga has provided more information on its website and facebook page; their phone number is 0800 355 553.
