The National Maori Librarians Association, Te Ropu Whakahau, is exploring how library services can be enhanced to appeal to more Maori who are learning te reo.
Meeting in Rotorua for a three-day hui-a-tau starting today, the association is looking at how libraries can better meet the needs of these Maori learners through partnership and bicultural practices.
This week's hui-a-tau is being hosted by Rotorua Library Tangatarua Marae, at Toi Ohomai with the theme Hangaia to Whare Korero - Creating Your House of Knowledge.
Haki Tahana, the lead organiser and Rotorua Library's Matanga Maori Kaitiaki Pukapuka, said the forum would provoke a wide range of discussion that would focus on how Rotorua District Library's Maori services work closely with agencies that foster programme content through partnerships.
"We will shine a light on Te Arawa and promote what we as mana (tangata) whenua are doing for the wider community through Te Tatau o Te Arawa and the Rotorua Lakes Council partnership agreement," he said.
Mr Tahana said the partnership prompted local library staff to analyse how it interacted with Maori communities to ensure services were meeting community needs and expectations.
"Libraries hold a wealth of knowledge including matauranga Maori. But the question is how relevant this literature is to our local communities. From a Te Ropu Whakahau standpoint, this hui will canvas programmes that develop meaningful engagement in a consistent way and will encourage consideration of strategic partnerships as a means to increase community participation in Maori service delivery," Mr Tahana said.
A 2012 research paper, Kaupapa Maori in New Zealand public libraries, identified a need for libraries to incorporate biculturalism into library strategies and establish partnerships with iwi and hapu, as well as a need to support staff in training.
"Maori have an entirely different way of seeing the world," Mr Tahana said.
"The concept of kaitiakitanga (Maori guardians of literature and knowledge) is a broad kaupapa with dynamic implications. Initiatives like Nga Upoko Tukutuku and Matauranga Maori workshops are a couple of significant steps towards growing Maori speakers.
"Through tikanga and kawa practices we are constantly reminded of relevancy; adjusting to constant change, developing innovative projects so we are keeping up with the times."
The hui-a-tau will include keynote speakers and breakout workshops covering various topics including:
- Setting the platform - Te Arawa Partnership with Arapeta Tahana
- Understanding community needs - Strategic direction with Rotorua Library's Ani Sharland
- Empowering the community with knowledge - Rotorua Library's Lois Haddon
- Library literacy skills and Maori identity with Fred Vercoe and Haki Tahana
- Applying Marae construction knowledge with James Rickard
- Fusing professional development and Matauranga Maori