Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College (MAC) is rolling out a leadership programme for rangatahi Māori students and implementing new initiatives to develop a greater understanding of te ao Māori and te reo at the school, MAC principal Nicola Jacobsen said. 

Developing a deeper understanding of te ao Māori within the school’s learning community is a strategic priority for the school, she said.

“We want MAC to be a safe and inclusive environment for all our students, including our rangatahi Māori and their whānau. Developing rangatahi Māori leadership within the college is one way we can enable our rangatahi to achieve success at school and in their future lives.” 

Initiatives include a Māori performing arts enrichment programme for junior students which can lead to an NCEA-endorsed Te Ao Haka subject; a new ‘Te Ao Māori section on the MAC website; cultural experiences like a house haka competition; use of te reo in school publications, signage, in the classroom and at meetings; and designing course which incorporate mātauranga Māori and promote a greater understanding of the local area.

The group of MAC students in Taranaki, where they visited Ratana Pā, Parihaka and Mt Taranaki, paddled on the Whanganui River, and connected with hau kāinga (local Māori) and rangatahi from local schools. 

As part of the school’s efforts to promote authentic learning experiences in te ao Māori, a group of students, staff and parents recently went on a haerenga to Taranaki, travelling to South Taranaki and visiting Ratana Pā, Parihaka and Mt Taranaki, paddling on the Whanganui River, and connecting with hau kāinga (local Māori) and rangatahi from local schools. 

Year 11 student Lucy Maibach said the Taranaki haerenga provided her with many valuable experiences. 

“Before I went on the trip, I knew about Māori feeling a very strong connection to their whenua and where they come from but I didn’t understand how someone could feel so strongly connected to a piece of land,” she said.

“Now I have a much greater understanding and respect for this connection in others and also in myself. I felt like I was a part of the whenua, not just living on it. It was amazing.” 

Year 11 student Ryan Enoka also found the experience enriching. 

“One of the highlights was all the kōrero between myself and the many matua and whaea we met on our journey. In te reo Māori we call this ‘taonga tuku iho’ which means the treasure of knowledge passed down from generation to generation,” he said.

“As rangatahi, we are exactly the generation that needs to have this treasure passed down to us.” 

PHOTOS: MAC