12 Mar 2013

Maori tertiary educators hui next month

7:35 am on 12 March 2013

A national hui looking at ways to improve Maori learning at tertiary level is to be held next month.

The Tuia Te Ako hui will run over three days at Te Wananga o Raukawa in Otaki.

Ako Aotearoa, which is hosting the event, says educators and academics will meet and discuss a range of topics including how to encourage Maori students to move straight into tertiary studies after school.

Its national centre's senior Maori development manager, Ngahiwi Apanui, said the main objective is to become better educators to lift the achievement of Maori students.

He said the sector needs to find a way to reduce the number of Maori entering tertiary studies as second chance learners.

Mr Apanui said too many Maori are leaving secondary school with no qualifications, and getting into tertiary studies down the track. This puts tertiary providers, like universities and wananga, under strain because they have a high rate of adult Maori learners taking on foundation level studies.

Key speakers for the event include Professor Sir Mason Durie, Maori language advocate Pania Papa and Maori law lecturer Ani Mikaere.