Notice Board - News

Awanuiarangi in Wellington

Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi , Wellington

Director of Academic Programmes for the wananga in Wellington, Dr Kathie Irwin explains that Awanuiarangi has been in the capital for nearly six years, and that this period has given the wananga time to develop training opportunities that met students' needs in the capital.

"We are now ready to take that next step and to really begin to build what we offer here. Like our Whakatane campus, our programme structure is centered on Maori development, and can take students from certificate level to degree, post graduate and doctorate. Our course programme offers a number of pathways into leadership positions in Maori and government organisations, both regionally and nationally," said Dr Iwin.

Mana Whenua Professor, Professor Ngatata Love, said that in addition to the core programmes offered the future of the wananga in Wellington also had to meet the needs of the local iwi.

"We have a responsibilty to ensure we understand the long term vision of the marae and whanau throughout the district, what their needs are, and where we can help."

Professor Love said the wananga's partnership with Taranaki Whanui ki Poneke, has helped position Awanuiarangi as a key asset for local Maori in the progression of reo, tikanga, Maori arts and matauaranga Maori.

"The programme structure is supported by a visionary development strategy for the Wellington campus facilities, and this is supported by the Wellington Tenths and the Palmerston North Maori Reserve Trusts," he said.

A brand new training centre "Hikoikoi" is being purpose built on an ancestral Pa situated on the Petone foreshore. Kura Moeahu is coordinating the Degree in Matauranga Maori^* and preparing the facility for degree courses and community focused programmes.

Professor Love said that other developments in Wellington woudl include expansion of the Pipitea site to eventually include multi-level buildings and state of the art teaching facilities.

Courses from August 2005: Maori Arts, International Diplomacy, Local Governance, Matauranga Maori ^*, Maori Business, Teaching and Learning ^*.

^* Subject to NZQA and NZTC approval.