Helping teams grow through Mātauranga Māori
Caption: The Warehouse Group kaimahi after their pōwhiri at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, ?tara.
MIT has officially welcomed the latest group of Warehouse staff who are broadening their understanding of Te Ao Māori with us.
The partnership between the national retail chain and our institute began in late 2020 in response to an increasing desire amongst their teams to use the indigenous language of Aotearoa in the workplace and a need to support this with training and personal development opportunities.
Since then more than 120 employees have taken part in the initiative which now includes reo classes and Whakatupu te Kakano: Planting the Seed, a sixteen-week cultural competency programme.
“Being welcomed onto the marae was a moving moment. It was also the first time we got to meet the lovely MIT team in person since we started our relationship during the pandemic. The opportunity to have a kōrero in person was fantastic,” says Warehouse Group, Learner and Development Business Partner, Catherine Paul.
The programme teaches Mātauranga Māori Whānui, a general understanding of Māori knowledge, delivered through reo, tīkanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
It is taught by kaimahi at MIT’s Te Tari Mātauranga Māori, a team dedicated to creating a supportive, ‘home away from home’ environment at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae ?tara where our community can pursue knowledge.
“It does not matter who you are and where you come from the learning outcomes and deliverables are applicable to everyone,” said Dr Wiremu Manaia, Director – Māori Education.
“The skills and knowledge they get from this type of training will not only help them with their professional careers, but it will also benefit their personal lives,” he says.
For The Warehouse Group, it allows the company to empower their kaimahi in any part of the organisation to follow a growth mindset, learn from a different perspective and embrace change in the workplace.
“The direct impact of this mahi and ako is about growing curiosity within the team,” says Catherine Paul. “The indirect impact of this has been powerful. We have seen some kaimahi complete all three courses, others have embedded tīkanga into their mahi and reo is more frequently spoken and used within the organisation. Our kaimahi are feeling empowered, and confident and feel as though they have been given permission to embrace all elements of Te Ao Māori. A shift is happening within our business, momentum is being gained and it is exciting to see this unfold.”
There is strong interest in providing training opportunities for employees throughout the corporate sector.
Recently, Te Tari Mātauranga Māori at MIT has delivered this kaupapa to clients including Office Max, Ormiston Hospital and FCB Aotearoa for Pak & Save. The team is able to tailor the learning provided to meet the needs of different groups.
“One size doesn’t fit all,” says MIT’s Head of External Engagement Julie Prentice. “I have been so impressed with the collaborative approach that both MIT and The Warehouse Group have shown throughout this journey. That’s what it takes – working in partnership and being able to review and adapt the delivery to ensure it continues to meet the goals of the business and kaimahi.”
Recently, MIT officially joined Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. Providing flexible, life-long learning opportunities that fit around the lives of ākonga - students is a key focus of the national network for vocational education.