Kokiri 20 - Te Puni Kokiri

RANGAHAUDr Peter Coolbear, Sir Wira Gardiner, Leith ComerKAIAKO PONO:MENTORINGFOR MÄORILEARNERS INTHE TERTIARYSECTORMäori-focused mentoring isbeing prioritised as an importantMäori student support activity ina number of tertiary educationinstitutions throughout the motu.This is one of the highlights that emerged in a recently releasedreport Kaiako pono: Mentoring for Mäori learners in the tertiarysector.Prioritising Mäori-focused mentoring, according to the report,was evidenced by the number of Mäori-focused mentoringprogrammes that are supported at senior management level, withdedicated infrastructure and resourcing.The report is of an investigative study co-funded by Te Puni Kökiriand Ako Aotearoa (the National Centre for Tertiary TeachingExcellence). The project was also supported by the TertiaryEducation Commission.Together, the organisations share a commitment to improvingeducational outcomes for Mäori at tertiary level.The study reviewed relevant literature on mentoring for Mäori, andhad site visits and interviews in 21 tertiary education institutionsthroughout the motu.Other highlights included; mentoring programmes for ALL learnersinclude culturally relevant peer support options for Mäori learners,mentoring activities that encouraged long-term “whänau-like”relationships as well as focused on “holistic” wellbeing (academic,cultural and personal).Dr Peter Coolbear, Director of Ako Aotearoa; Sir Wira Gardiner,Chair of the Tertiary Education Commission and Leith Comer werepresent at the launch of the report.A copy of the full report is available fromwww.akoaotearoa.ac.nz\kaiakopono.40TE PUNI KÖKIRI | KÖKIRI | MAHURU – WHIRINGA Ä NUKU 2010