An effort to fill a critical shortage of expert te reo Maori teachers has been given a boost by Massey University with a new four-year Maori immersion teaching degree.
Massey University associate professor Huia Tomlins-Jahnke is developing the unique qualification.
Dr Tomlins-Jahnke, who heads the university's School of Maori Education, says the redesigned and extended course aimed to supply 200 Maori immersion graduates into the teaching profession by 2020.
She says there is a shortage of teachers nationally, and the graduates will help to increase the talent pool.
Dr Tomlins-Jahnke says it will also help with the long term rejuvenation of te reo Maori which is classified as being in a perilous state.
The programme is being delivered through a new partnership between Te Runanga Nui o Nga Kura Kaupapa Maori and Massey University.
