27 Feb 2015

$50,000 grant for Marae study

7:42 pm on 27 February 2015

An Auckland researcher has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to investigate how Marae-based learning can be developed.

The study will focus on outdoor education and science, and look at ways to generate income for hapu and iwi development.

Unitec communications lecturer Giles Dodson has partnered up with Northland hapu Te Uri O Hau and will focus on Kaipara Marae as starting point for school group visits.

Mr Dodson said the money was for Iwi, himself and teachers to work together to develop NCEA curriculum so it could be taught in partnership with Marae-based learning.

The study aimed to provide development opportunities to marae kaitiaki to equip them with the tools needed to engage with school groups and attract classes for educational visits.

One of the main tasks was to form a business strategy which worked with marae whanau to include their views and get teachers on board.

Giles Dodson said he was hoping school groups would be visiting Marae by early next year.

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