It’s Geni – US. Māori and Pasifika Hui Fono 2013

Media Release
January 22 2013

It’s Geni – US. Māori and Pasifika Hui Fono 2013

Jacob Luamanuvae-Su'a, spent much of his time at school scribbling in the back of books. The journey which led him to the animation suite at Weta Digital to work on movie block busters like The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret Life of the Unicorn, was not the most conventional but it mirrors the experience of many highly creative and talented Māori and Pasifika in Aotearoa.

Samoan born Luamanuvae-Su'a shared his story at last year’s ACE Aotearoa Māori and Pasifika Hui Fono and will be in Dunedin for this year’s Hui Fono which runs from February 27-March 1, 2013.

With its theme Geni – US the Hui Fono will explore giftedness and how educators can tap into the unique talents inherent in everyone to enhance their learning experience.

Now in its sixth year, the Hui Fono is a professional development opportunity for Māori and Pasifika working in the Adult and Community Education (ACE) Sector. Venues are
Araiteuru Marae and the Otago Museum.

A wide range of speakers and workshops will be offered over two days. They include indigenous and historical cartographer, Hauiti Hakopa (Ngati Tuwharetoa) who specializes in assisting iwi to map their oral traditions and histories, and writer and digital entrepreneur Potaua Biasiny-Tuie (Tuhoe, Ngati Pikiao, Nue).

ACE Aotearoa Professional Development and Networks Manager, Analiese Robertson, says the theme, Geni - US provides opportunities to explore the “many intelligences” that learners possess and in particular the unique intelligence and creativity which Māori and Pasifika exude. “Educators have an important role in helping learners to identify their special gifts, their Geni – Us, which once discovered can take them to giddy heights all over the world as our guest speakers will demonstrate.”

ENDS

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