Whānau from Hoani Waititi and education agencies gathered at Hoani Waititi Marae. Photo: Te Aorewa Rolleston / RNZ
A new trades and training campus will be set up at Auckland's Hoani Waititi Marae to help more Māori and Pasifika into skills-based education.
Representatives from both Hoani Waititi and trades and training agencies met at the marae to formalize the partnership.
The plan for the facility comes after NZMA recorded a 320 percent hike in trades enrolments and a need for more education pathways for Māori and Pasifika.
Education options from early childhood to Tertiary level are already available at Hoani Waititi but the new vocational campus would have a kaupapa Māori lens.
NZMA CEO Kylie Wilson said the collaboration with Hoani Waititi Marae offered the chance to incorporate tikanga and Mātauranga Māori into an education space.
Wilson said the new campus would enrich the educational offering on the marae and empower the community it serves, helping locals gain in-demand trades qualifications for employment while sustaining the marae.
"The skills-based trades training programmes offered at the campus will include carpentry, plumbing and gas fitting, and painting and decorating. In addition to the curriculum learning taking place on a true 'worksite' environment, students will also be provided with career and employment advice, pastoral care support and goal setting opportunities."
All staff and students will get access to marae-based learning programmes including Te Reo Māori classes, tikanga Māori and Marae experiences, Kapa Haka and Mau rākau classes as well as learning traditional Māori customs and cultural competency.
Design plans showcased at Hoani Waititi Marae for the new institute. Photo: Te Aorewa Rolleston / RNZ
Hoani Waitit is one of the oldest pan tribal Marae and is a community space for West Auckland.
The Marae has carried lifelong dreams of setting up higher learning institute, so the new facility was a big step towards that.
Hoani Waititi Marae Chairman, Eynon Delamere said the partnership was exciting and was a part of the Marae's education strategy for its community.
"Lifelong learning is an integral part of the marae ethos and encapsulated in the whakatauki "Hāpaitia te ara tika pumau ai te rangatiratanga mo nga uri whakatipu" - Foster the pathway of knowledge to strength, independence and growth for future generations."
The three-year agreement will kickstart the building of new classrooms and a carving workshop area as well as the refurbishment of four classrooms already at the marae.
Students would help build the campus as part of their trades training.
The programmes for the first student intake will begin this coming February in the new year.
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