19 March 2001 Media Statement

Te Hiringa i Te Mahara Excellence Awards

The Associate Minister of Education, the Hon Parekura Horomia said information technology, if handled properly, could reduce inequalities and raise Maori student achievement across the entire curriculum.

Mr Horomia presented 12 Maori teachers with excellence awards as part of Te Hiringa I Te Mahara Information and Computer Technology (ICT) Professional Development programme. The presentation ceremony was conducted by video conference and linked 10 different sites from Christchurch to Kaitaia.

Mr Horomia told participants that he was keen to see Maori participating in decision making at all levels and that technology could play a major role for Maori.

"I want to see Maori at the cutting edge of the e-technology era. Information technology can reduce inequalities and raise student achievement across the entire curriculum. It can also help overcome problems of distance and isolation especially for small rural schools."

100 Maori teachers from Wharekura and Maori boarding schools are currently part of the teacher development programme. The award winners were selected for their total participation, enthusiasm to learn and implement the new technology and for their support to colleagues. The associate Minister of Education personally congratulated each of the award winners over the air waves.

"Maori teachers have a major role in encouraging Maori students and their families into the information technology industry. It is the way of the future and if Maori want to be decisionmakers in the future then they must learn to use new technology."

The list of award winners and brief bio details are attached

Pakinga Blake from Aranui High School in Christchurch. Pakinga has moved from being an IT beginner to a competent, confident and regular IT user. He has worked assiduously and applied his developed knowledge and skills to both the classroom and administration duties. He has also produced an excellent presentation on the siege of He Kaiapoiha Pa by Te Rauparaha using Power-point.

Mary-Ann Waitoa also from Aranui High School. She has provided ongoing valuable support to her colleagues to get them through the programme. She has attended all ICT training sessions and has consequently extended her own knowledge, understanding and skills for the better of the whanau unit. She has produced a Power-point Prospectus for new entrants and their parents.

Tupu Williams from St Patricks College in Wellington. He has always been open to sharing with and supporting his colleagues. Tupu was the driving force behind a very successful team activities programme. He has applied consistently the skills he has learnt on the programme to administration and teaching in his kura. (Tuwharetoa)

Joanne Thompson from New Plymouth Girls' Hiqh School. For her positive pro-active and motivated participation in the programme, and for taking responsibility for not only her own learning but also that of others. She has shown enthusiasm and commitment in participating in all workshops and online tutorials. Joanne travelled from New Plymouth to Turakina Maori Girls' in Marton to join in the presentation ceremony. (Ngati Haua)

Rongopai Kira from Te Ara Hou in Hawkes Bay. He has shown high levels of motivation and enthusiasm. Rongopai has attended all online training sessions as well as supported and assisted colleagues beyond the call of duty. He has been a holiday workshop ICT facilitator. Strong supporter for ICT in Kura Kaupapa Maori and resources in Maori. (Nga Pubi)

Pani McLean from Rotorua Boys High School. For outstanding assistance to her colleagues and the ICT programme. Pani has demonstrated caring and sensitive leadership skills to ensure a successful programme for Te Arawa. Her attendance at online training sessions has been excellent! (Ngati Porou)

Pinika Barsdell from Whakatane High School. Pirika was a motivating, enthusiastic, conscientious participant. Pinika has progressed from a limited skill base to become a competent and confident ICT user.

John Elliot from Lytton High School, Gisborne. John has been an enthusiastic participant, dedicated to developing resources that whakamana te reo Maori to assist colleagues and teach students. He is a highly motivated and enthusiastic ICT user who has applied his new learning to his profession.

Ngarui Wibongi from Fraser High School, Hamilton. From knowing very little, Ngarui has moved to become a competent and confident user, particularly with e-mail. She has shown excellent attendance at all activities and puts what she has learnt into practice.

John Witana from Otahuhu College. John received his Award for the great strides made with his own professional development. John hasn't missed a training session and was always a cheerful, keen and willing participant.

Konui Grant from Sacred Heart College in Auckland. His award is for his diligence in holding to te reo Maori in all he has learnt, produced and does. Excellent attendance record and active participation in all training sessions.

Mina Pomare from Te Kura Taumata o Pangaru in the Hokianga. A positive pro- active learner who has really applied new learning to her profession. Mina has also willingly assisted and supported her colleagues and the community she lives in "Pangaru"

ends

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>