JAE Boroevich (left) is the kaiako responsible for teaching work readyness and construction, while Kaiako Teinakore Harawira teaches Level5 Māori in Taumarunui. Photo: Sigrid Christiansen
THE Maniapoto (Te Kūiti) campus of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is welcoming learners for 2024, with all programmes still accepting new students.
Kia-ora Aranui-Tuhi, or Kia for short, is the kaiwhakahaere ako – the manager of educational delivery – at both the Maniapoto and Apakura (Te Awamutu) campuses.
She said the drawcard of the wānanga for students was the skilled kaiako on its staff.
“For me, it’s the fact that they go above and beyond their duties to support students – whether that’s creating a zoom tutorial or being available to answer any questions.”
“I see students coming in even before classes start, coming in to talk to the kaiako.”
Kia said several other staff members were well-placed to support learners.
“We also have our lovely Lesley Joyce, who is at reception, and our student support advisor, Ramona Waho, who provides students with pastoral care and supports those with disabilities.
“Anyone can come in to talk to her too – she’s very approachable. All our kaiako are very approachable.”
Students can study rāranga (weaving), te reo Māori and building and construction.
And for the first time, Maniapoto campus is offering the Hei Tikitiki programme.
It is a life and work skills course, aimed at helping young people find their way through employment and education, aimed at 16-24 year olds.
The two staff members who will deliver this material – a kaiako and kaiawhina – are currently being recruited.
The levels 1 and 2 Māori language course, “Te Ara Reo Māori (He Pī ka Pao)”, has returned to the campus for 2024.
The kaiako, Pamela Matehuirua, is excited to be supporting tauira at the beginning of their reo journey this year.
“We are looking for 40 students. We are all ready to go and looking forward to coming back into this space.
“Classes will be on Wednesdays: a day class from 9.30-12.30 or alternatively a night class from 5.30-8.30. The course also offers students the opportunity to attend noho marae and full-day wānanga.
Even if new te reo Māori students arrive with some nervousness, she hopes it will quickly evaporate.
Her wish is that they leave each class in a happy mood: “because we learn better when we’re having fun”.
“We need to enjoy our reo.”
Last year, a full-immersion Level 3 and 4 study programme was offered at the campus, however the offerings tend to alternate according to demand, so it is not available this year.
Further away in the King Country, students can study Level 5 Te Reo Māori at Taumarunui.
Te Rōnakitanga ki te Reo Kairangi Intermediate Full Immersion is taught by Teinakore Harawira.
The Level 2 Work Readiness Building & Construction Training Scheme is 12 weeks full-time at the Maniapoto campus.
It will be taught by kaiako Jae Boroevich, assisted by kaiāwhina James Waretini.
As always, the wānanga at Te Kūiti has strong offerings in the weaving space.
These are the Level 4 Kāwai Raupapa – Certificate in Māori & Indigenous Art, 38 weeks in length, and the level 5 Toi Paematua – Diploma in Māori & Indigenous Art, of the same duration.
Both are taught by kaiako Ngaturu Paparahi.
A different but related rāranga course – concerned with processing the muka – the preparation of the harakeke fibre prior to weaving – is delivered at the Apakura campus.
On February 8, the campus held an open day, attended by future students, stallholders, and radio station MFM.
All of the Te Kūiti courses are fee-free, other than the Level 5 Rāranga offerings.
