Otago Polytechnic establishes Māori Centre

Media Release – Otago Polytechnic
For immediate release, Tuesday 26 January

Otago Polytechnic establishes Māori Centre for students and appoints Tumuaki (manager)

Māori students at Otago Polytechnic will soon have their own place where they can “work and learn as Māori” following the announcement of the establishment of a Māori Centre in the Forth Street campus and the appointment of its Tumuaki (Manager) Rebecca Williams.

“Otago Polytechnic is committed to supporting Māori learner success. The appointment of Rebecca, and the establishment of the Māori Centre, builds upon our achievements to date with Māori learner success and further strengthens our relationship with our local Runaka,” says Phil Ker, Chief Executive.

Rebecca Williams is a graduate of Otago Polytechnic and served as student president for OPSA and the national association. She was student representative on the Otago Polytechnic Council in 1995 and was appointed as Runaka representative on the Council in 2005 until her term ended in 2013. During that time she served as chair of the Council subcommittee Komiti Kanawataka.
“Rebecca Williams comes to this role from the Dunedin City Council and brings a range of leadership experience and a passion for students’ needs and welfare. Her immediate role will be to establish the centre and further communicate to all the services and support offered,” says Mr Ker.

Some of the services to be offered at the Māori Centre include:

• Pastoral care for Māori students
• Māori research centre
• Teaching space for Māori electives
• Workspace for Māori staff to access as and when needed
• Support for Māori staff

“Our aim is to go beyond simply a support centre for Māori students and rather to create a holistic environment where a range of activities can take place – from teaching, to support, to research.”

“We are very excited about this development, and the difference it will make to Māori learners, and look forward to welcoming Rebecca into this role when the Māori Centre opens after Easter,” says Mr Ker.

ENDS

© Scoop Media