Kāi Tahu Māori
Otago Polytechnic values our ongoing partnership with Kāi Tahu, our local iwi.
The partnership between Otago Polytechnic and Kāi Tahu has been developed in the spirit of cooperation. It was formalised in 2004 with a Memorandum of Understanding and has progressed with a series of policies and activities meant to promote a bicultural campus culture and to develop the capacity for Māori to succeed as Māori throughout the organisation.
Our Kaitohutohu office is dedicated to Māori development and success. Kaitohutohu uplifts and upholds our partnership with mana whenua, provides a te ao Māori perspective, and leads the way in shaping how our institution and the people within it can meet the educational needs and aspirations of Māori learners, whānau and iwi.
With the development of Te Pūkenga, a nationwide educational institution, the Memorandum of Understanding was formally ended, replaced with a single nationwide framework, Te Pae Tawhiti, Te Tiriti o Waitangi Excellence Framework.
As Te Pūkenga is currently being disestablished, Otago Polytechnic is taking the opportunity to renew our partnership with Kāi Tahu, and to combine the best practices from both frameworks.
Our future direction is continuing to grow our institutional understanding and practice of mātauranga Māori, te reo, tikanga and bicultural partnership.
Below is a more detailed history of the partnership between Otago Polytechnic and Kāi Tahu, and the steps taken towards Māori development and success within the organisation.
Pōwhiri and mihi whakatau at Otago Polytechnic
We work with mana whenua to provide formal and informal welcoming ceremonies for guests and newcomers to campus.
Find out more about what to expect at these events.
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 was a cornerstone of goals and activities, underpinning our Māori Strategic Framework (MSF). The principal objectives were to support and contribute to the achievement of Māori aspirations and to work collectively to identify specific educational needs of Kāi Tahu.
The rohe of Ngāti Whatua was also a part of this MoU, and 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 operated within the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) established by the Rūnaka of Moeraki, Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki, Ōtākou, Hokonui and Otago Polytechnic Council.
It provided a meaningful mechanism for Māori participation in governance and decision making in relation to the Polytechnic’s responsiveness to Te Tiriti ō Waitangi and Kāi Tahu’s education plan.
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 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 were given expression through the six priority areas of the Māori Strategic Framework (MSF).
Click here for a pdf download of the Māori Strategic Framework
Priorities
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Te Tiriti o Waitangi: an effective partnership with mana whenua.
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Kā Kaimahi: attracting and developing Māori staff and the cultural capability of all staff.
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Te Taumata Angitu Māori: Māori learners succeeding as Māori.
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Kia Eke Panuku: High quality and culturally relevant programmes of study.
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Kia Kōtahi Tātou: Culturally inclusive learning and working environment.
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Te Rakahau Māori: Māori-led Research that contributes to the achievement of Kai Tahu/Māori.
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
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.
