Māori Success a Focus of Research Symposium

Learning about Māori success in education will be a key focus of this year’s research symposium at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology. 

Te Manawa Reka Curiosity Symposium is being held at the Toi Ohomai Windermere Campus on Friday, 28 May. 

Keynote speaker Dr Kelli Te Maiharoa is the Kaihautū of Te Kāhui Whetū: Capable Māori, a highly successful programme at Otago Polytechnic, which strives to uphold the strengths of Māori educational success and diminish Māori learner barriers.

Drawing on Māori learner evaluations, interviews with postgraduate learners and Iwi representatives, her presentation will focus on the optimal learning conditions of this innovative programme, showcasing how productive partnerships with iwi can lead to excellent outcomes for Māori learners that also contribute towards the realisation of whānau, hapū and Iwi aspirations.

Toi Ohomai Head of Research Heather Hamerton says the Institute has always called its symposium Curiosity because it invokes the researcher mindset – of someone who is curious, always seeking the answer to questions, “which of course is what we’re doing in research”. 

“Te Manawa Reka was added this year at the suggestion of our kaupapa Māori Research Advisor Dr Tepora Emery.”

The day-long symposium is open to anyone who would like to attend and Heather says the theme of this year’s symposium is “research that impacts on teaching and learning”.

“The presentations will tell people about how our staff are actively engaged in research that contributes to improvement and excellence in teaching and learning.  This year we have presenters from other ITPs, so it is also an opportunity for people to share their research ideas and learn from one another.  In particular, the symposium will be of interest to other educators.”

Heather says Dr Te Maiharoa was invited to be the keynote speaker as it aligned with an Institute-wide goal to improve Māori learner outcomes. 

“Kelli is the kaihautū of Te Kahui Whetū – a programme at Otago Polytechnic which has had a great deal of success with Māori learners. I think having Kelli as a keynote provides a great opportunity for all of us to learn from colleagues, and to build networks across other subsidiaries.”

Te Manawa Reka Curiosity Symposium will be held on Friday, 28 May from 9am to 5pm in rooms Rooms A02 and A04 at the Toi Ohomai Windermere Campus.