Makoura launches $778K scheme

GIFT: Makoura College principal Tom Hullena in a kakahu (feather cloak) he told students was presented to them as much as him.

A stunning Masterton day, rousing haka from more than 300 rangatahi, a speech from a renowned Maori educator and a cloak on a beloved principal's shoulders all helped to launch Wairarapa's new education plan.

The Kahungnunu ki Wairarapa Education Strategy, titled. "He Heke Tuna, He Heke Rangatira", was officially launched with a powhiri at Makoura College on Tuesday.

The $788,000 scheme, funded by the Ministry of Education, proposes to boost Maori achievement from early childhood to tertiary level by connecting Ngati Kahungunu rangatahi (youth) to their culture and language.

Masterton turned on a sunny mid-winter morning for the powhiri, which was attended by educators representing early childhood centres, primary schools, colleges and tertiary institutions around Wairarapa.

Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson and Masterton District Council chief executive Pim Borren were also present.

The guests were welcomed with a karanga from Maori Party candidate Marama Fox, followed by haka and waiata from Makoura and Te Kura Kaupapa o Wairarapa students.

Whaikorero were given by Kahungnunu Ki Wairarapa general manager PJ Devonshire and Makoura principal Tom Hullena, who shared the Maori proverb Ko te manu e kai ana i te matauranga, nona te ao, meaning "the bird who partakes of the power of knowledge has access to the world".

The keynote speaker for the event was Professor Graham Hingangaroa Smith (of Ngati Kahungunu), internationally renowned Maori educator and chief executive of Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi in Whakatane.

Professor Smith spoke of growing up in Masterton in the 1960s and attending Lansdowne Primary and Wainuioru schools - and of the socio-economic challenges he faced which still affect Maori in 2014.

"My grandmother would make me fried bread for my lunch and wrap it in newspaper," he said.

"When I got to school, I'd take out my lunch - and the words Wairarapa Times-Age had rubbed off on the bread.

"My classmates started making comments - so after that I'd just throw my lunch into the hedge on the way to school, and wouldn't have anything to eat."

Professor Smith said he did well at school - but he was the only Maori student in the top class, with his fellow Maori being streamed into the bottom classes.

"My education was a culturally alienating experience.

"It was deficit theory back then. They believed something was wrong with the Maori students' culture, and that we couldn't speak English properly."

He praised Kahungnunu ki Wairarapa for its innovation in setting up the strategy - which includes a family learning unit, whanau advisory groups, and a reading programme for families.

"We can't rely on single policy approaches when our people are being marginalised - we must have the courage to try new things.

"As one of my students said, 'if you want to move a mountain, you take a step towards it'."

After his speech, PJ Devonshire presented Mr Hullena with a kakahu (feather cloak) on behalf of Kahungunu ki Wairarapa in recognition of Makoura's educational achievements.

This was met with a passionate haka from the rangatahi.

A visibly emotional Mr Hullena said he would wear the cloak for all his students.

Makoura College was recently presented with the Excellence in Leading - Atakura Award at the Prime Minister's Education Excellence Awards in June.