Kai Tahu Māori

Our principal objectives are to support and contribute to the achievement of Māori development aspirations, and work together to identify specific educational needs of Kai Tahu.

Memorandum of Understanding

In 2004, Otago Polytechnic signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the four Araiteuru Papatipu Rūnaka –Te Rūnanga ō Moeraki, Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, Te Runanga ō Ōtākou and Hokonui Rūnanga.

The Memorandum has become a cornerstone of our goals and activities, underpinning our Māori Strategic Framework. The principal objectives are to support and contribute to the achievement of Māori development aspirations, and work together to identify specific educational needs of Kai Tahu.

Ngāti Whatua: As we entered the rohe of Ngāti Whatua with the opening of the Auckland International Campus in 2012, Otago Polytechnic signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the North Island iwi. This acknowledged our operations in this region and affirms the spirit of cooperation between us.

Kōmiti Kāwanataka

This committee operates within the Memorandum of Understanding established by the Rūnaka of Moeraki, Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki, Ōtākou, Hokonui and Otago Polytechnic Council.

It provides a meaningful mechanism for Māori participation in governance and decision making in relation to the Polytechnic’s responsiveness to the Treaty of Waitangi and Kāi Tahu’s education plan.

In particular, attention is given to effective communication, developing and monitoring the Polytechnic’s Māori Strategic Framework, and ensuring that Kāi Tahutaka, as practised by Kā Rūnaka, is the basis for all Māori activities within the Polytechnic.

About Kai Tahu Komiti Media FW

Members of Otago Polytechnic's Kōmiti Kāwanataka

Aka Whaika Māori - Māori Strategic Framework

The Māori Strategic Framework was developed in consultation with Kā Papatipu Rūnaka. Created from a perspective based in Te Ao Māori, the framework draws upon the Professor Mason Durie’s vision for Māori education:

To live as Māori: being able to have access to Te Ao Māori, the Māori world, which means having access to language, culture, cultural practice, marae, resources, iwi, hapū and whānau

To actively participate as citizens of the world:higher education should open doors to technology, to the economy, to the arts and sciences, to understanding others, and to making a contribution to the greater good.

To enjoy good health and a high standard of living: educational achievement correlates directly with employment,income levels, standards of health and quality of life.

These core values cascade to and are given expression through six priority areas:

Māori Strategic Framework

Priorities

  1. Te Tiriti o Waitangi: an effective partnership with mana whenua.
  2. Kā Kaimahi: attracting and developing Māori staff and the cultural capability of all staff.
  3. Te Taumata Angitu Māori: Māori learners succeeding as Māori.
  4. Kia Eke Panuku: High quality and culturally relevant programmes of study.
  5. Kia Kōtahi Tātou: Culturally inclusive learning and working environment.
  6. Te Rakahau Māori: Māori-led Research that contributes to the achievement of Kai Tahu/Māori.
Māori Language Strategy

Māori Language Strategy

Toi te kupu, toi te mana, toi te whenua | The permanence of the language, prestige and land.

Māori Annual Reports

The progress we have made against the Māori Strategic Framework is contained in our reports to our rūnaka partners.

Māori Culture & Support

Māori Culture & Support

Explore the services and support we have available for our Māori students.

Contact us

If you’re not sure what to study and would like some guidance, we’re here to help. Feel free to chat to us directly about any questions you may have.