Ako Aotearoa's Māori Caucus
Ako Aotearoa’s Māori Caucus, is the only standing committee of the Ako Aotearoa Board and as such holds a vital governance function over matters relating to Māori tertiary education.
The Māori Caucus meets regularly and in 2010 welcomed new members, Sam Lundon (Co-chair The Aotearoa Māori Providers of Training, Education & Employment (AMPTEE)), Jacqualene Poutu (Tumuaki, Te Mana Ākonga) and Trevor Moeke (Poutiaki, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa).
Some careful planning from the previous year came into fruition for Ako Aotearoa in 2010 including the launch of Hei Tauira: Teaching and Learning for Success for Māori in Tertiary Settings by the Associate Minister for Tertiary Education, the Hon Dr Pita Sharples. Other highlights for the year include Tuia Te Ako 2010 - our inaugural national hui for the Māori tertiary whānau, the presentation of the inaugural Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award for Sustained Excellence in a Kaupapa Māori context to Te Kahautu Maxwell of The University of Waikato, and our joint launch of Kaiako Pono – Mentoring for Māori learners in the tertiary sector with Te Puni Kōkiri.
The Māori Caucus has also formulated a Māori strategy for Ako Aotearoa - Te Hīkoi Whakamua 2010-2013 (Māori Strategy 2010-2013), established He Matapihi – Ako Aotearoa’s staff Māori professional development programme, and furthered the use of Te Tauākī Ako (our Ako Framework) as a tool for evaluation and guidance in work with tertiary organisations and government agencies. 2011 promises to be a busy year for the Māori Caucus. Contact Kaihautū Māori, Ngahiwi Apanui for further information.
The Ako Aotearoa Māori Caucus established this February: standing from left to right are Anania Randall (Caucus Chair, Ako Aotearoa Board Member), Associate Professor Rawiri Taonui (nominated by Te Kahui Amokura), Dr Peter Coolbear (Ako Aotearoa Director), and Turoa Royal (Te Tauihu o Ngā Wānanga). Seated from left to right are Dr Kathie Irwin (Ako Aotearoa Board Member) and Dr Khyla Russell (Otago Polytechnic, nominated by ITPNZ). Absent are Iritana Tawhiwhirangi, Sam Lundon, Trevor Moeke, and Jacqualene Poutu.
The members of the Māori Caucus
- Dr Kathie Irwin (Ako Aotearoa Board Member)
Chief Analyst Culture, Te Puni Kōkiri - Sam Lundon
Aotearoa Māori Providers of Training, Education & Employment (AMPTEE) representative - Trevor Moeke
Poutiaki - Director Delivery Relations, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa - Jacqualene Poutu
Tumuaki, Te Mana Ākonga - Anania Randall - Chair of Māori Caucus (Ako Aotearoa Board Member)
Tumuaki, Wainuiomata Christian Fellowship Training Centre - Turoa Royal
Chairman, Te Tauihu o Ngā Wānanga (The Association of Wānanga) - Dr Khyla Russell (Nominated by ITPNZ)
Kaitohutohu, Otago Polytechnic - Associate Professor Rawiri Taonui (Nominated by Te Kahui Amokura)
- Iritana Tawhiwhirangi (Nominated by Te Kohanga Reo National Trust)