Ngati Whakaue 18-year-olds in top four for NCEA achievement

Ngati Whakaue 18-year-olds in top four for iwi NCEA achievement

New iwi education statistics confirm that locally we’re on the right track to improving engagement and success in education for Maori. But that there is a need for more locally-focused programmes to meet local needs.
Maori education statistics released by the Ministry of Education provide, for the first time, an education profile for each iwi in New Zealand, showing how Maori children are doing in early childhood education, primary school and NCEA.

Roana Bennett, General Manager of Rotorua’s Te Taumata o Ngati Whakaue Iho Ake Trust, the education arm of Ngati Whakaue, says the iwi-specific data is overdue, but welcome.

Ngati Whakaue is in the top few iwi for NCEA achievement, according to the new data. The figures showed 73.3 per cent of Ngati Whakaue 18-year-olds have NCEA Level 2 or equivalent, on a par with Ngai te Rangi and Ngati Ranginui. Ngati Porou rated highest on 73.9 per cent with the Ministry’s goal being 85 per cent by 2017.

"Too many of our Ngati Whakaue-affiliated youth are leaving school with NCEA Level 1 or below,” Ms Bennett says. “Having this information provides Ngati Whakaue with a focus for better directing energy and resources to support schools and government to engage effectively with our rangatahi and their whanau.”

“It’s also pleasing to see that Ngati Whakaue early childhood education (ECE) participation is 97 per cent – close to the government’s target of 98 per cent and much higher than the rates for Maori children overall. Engagement and participation in quality ECE has been a priority for Te Taumata o Ngati Whakaue Iho Ake for many years so to see this data is affirming.”

Last year through the social sector trial Excel Rotorua, a marae-based wananga and mentoring programme was run to provide cultural, academic and pastoral support to 60 rangatahi sitting NCEA levels 1 and 2. Of those students 83 per cent who sat NCEA Level 1 passed and 96 per cent who sat NCEA level 2 passed.

“We know therefore that when we bring together learners and their whanau, schools, and community and iwi expertise and networks we can make a difference for our young people,” Ms Bennett says.

"We're fortunate in Rotorua to have great schools with principals who are committed to seeing our children succeed and who are open to active iwi involvement, supporting and empowering our young people and their whanau."

Additional information

· The Ministry of Education Iwi Education Profiles released last week can be found at www.educationcounts.govt.nz

· Te Taumata was established by Ngati Whakaue in 2005 to implement the tribal education strategy. The three priority areas are early childhood, te reo revitalisation and rangatahi.

· In 2013 the Taumata won the contract for an education-focussed Rotorua social sector trial, rebranded as Excel Rotorua.

· The purpose of the trial is to improve collaboration between agencies and improve coordination of government investment in Rotorua and alignment of that investment with the aspirations of the community. The trial also supports the testing of innovative solutions to entrenched issues such as non-attendance and literacy.

· In addition to other programmes, through Excel Rotorua Te Taumata established 16 projects aimed at accelerating educational achievement for all learners aged 0 to 18 in Rotorua. In collaboration with principals, agencies and providers, the projects have provided direct support to learners and their whanau, as well as to teachers and principals.

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