Maori tertiary education scrutinised

Professor Sir Mason Durie. Photo / Supplied

Hundreds of Maori tertiary education representatives gathered for a two-day hui in Wellington today to brainstorm how to make advances in their sector.

Ngahiwi Apanui from Ako Aotearoa - the National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence - said debate about Maori advancement had historically focused on Treaty of Waitangi claims and business dealings of Maori organisations rather than education, but the right skills were vital for the continued management and sustainability of Maori resources.

Professor Sir Mason Durie said Maori were heading into a "post-Treaty" stage and tertiary institutions needed to develop people who could step up and make sound decisions so assets could be managed and grown for future generations.

In the past 25 years there had been big advances in Maori education from primary to tertiary level, but more direction and greater alignment between institutions was needed so students could tailor their studies to what they wanted to achieve, he said.

Sir Mason said at present the secondary education system was not working well for Maori and that was something that needed to change.

"We separate secondary and tertiary education at our peril, because if the secondary system is not performing well it limits enormously who will come into tertiary education. At present the secondary system is not performing well for Maori children."

How highly the nation valued indigeneity in the future would have a significant bearing on the future success of Maori in tertiary education, he said.

Sir Mason also talked about adjusting loyalties and a need to shift from having "strong loyalties to institutions to having strong loyalties to students, and follow students rather than follow institutions".

The hui includes keynote speakers, panel sessions and workshops.

- NZPA