Hon Parekura Horomia

Associate Minister of Education

2 November

Media Statement

On the Right Track - He Ara Tika

A thousand Maori secondary students will take part in a new mentoring initiative that will be officially launched by Associate Education Minister Parekura Horomia at Horowhenua College today (Friday 2 November).

He Ara Tika is about building the self-esteem and sense of identity of young Maori, with the ultimate aim of encouraging the students to succeed at school or go on to further education.

Mr Horomia said he is very pleased with the cooperative and community-based focus of the new mentoring scheme.

“He Ara Tika is a project between students and their families, schools and established Maori organisations. The community organisations will recruit, train and support volunteers to work with students, either one to one or in small groups.”

Mr Horomia said He Ara Tika is about ensuring young people are guided along the right path for themselves.

“Mentoring is a very natural thing for Maori. It is reflected in many of our values such as “tiaki’, “manaaki’ and “tuakana-teina’. The mentors will be mostly volunteers who come from the wider Maori community, older and experienced people who have a passion and a vision to help young Maori to make the most of their educational opportunities.”

Next year, the programme will see 17 Maori providers, working with 340 mentors, working with 1000 Maori students in 105 secondary schools or kura kaupapa Maori.

“The work of the mentors depend on the needs of the students. It is essential that they trust and respect each other. Mentors will help set goals, which could be academic and personal.”

Mr Horomia said he is pleased that the Ministry of Education is working on a performance management programme to assess both the students and the mentors.

“We need to know what’s working, what isn’t, and any improvements that need to be made. The programme will track key student data such as participation, retention and achievement, as well as enhanced student self-esteem. “

ENDS

HE ARA TIKA LAUNCH

Horowhenua College, 2 November 2001

PROGRAMME

9:30am Powhiri - Hemi Broughton

9:45 am Welcome by Principal of Horowhenua College, Murray Lucas

10:00 am Keynote Speech - Associate Minister of Education,

Hon Parekura Horomia

10:15am Performance by Te Roopu o Patumakuku

10:30am Rangatahi/Student representative

10:35am Performance by band, Iwi

10:50am Speech by Ministry of Education official, Pere Maitai

11:00am Performance by group, Taki Toru

11:15am Speech by Rangatahi/Student representative

11:20am Performance by band, Native Sons

11:35am Conclusion of Programme

Participants are invited to share dinner at

Te Runanga o Raukawa

3 Keepa Street

Levin

Background Information

What is the aim of He Ara Tika?

The programme is aimed at supporting and encouraging the students to succeed at school or go on to further education initiative through building their self-esteem and sense of identity.

Aren’t there already a number of mentoring programmes in existence? What is different about this one?

There are mentoring programmes at various places around the country. The difference with this programme is that He Ara Tika is :

- a mentoring programme developed by Maori community organisations, designed to meet the needs of local students;

- a formalised training package that Maori Community providers deliver and manage; and

- mentors gain qualifications by using NZQA recognised training.

What controls are in place to make sure the mentors treat their kids properly?

The Maori Community Provider has to

- complete training;

- provide policies and procedures that will ensure the safety of the student at all times; and

- manage the mentor/mentee relationship by providing supervision at regular periods, monitoring, tracking and assessment of both student and mentor.

The recruitment process of mentors is robust:

- mentors have to undergo a police check;

- mentors have to take the training and qualify;

- mentors have to be able to work with the student to identify goals using the performance management programme.

What safeguards are there to make sure the mentors are properly supported in their work?

- There is constant supervision provided for mentors

- The Maori community provider has to manage He Ara Tika which means monitoring, tracking, assessing and evaluating all stakeholders;

- The policies and procedures required to manage He Ara Tika are in place, such as child abuse policies, privacy policies, confidentiality.

- Mentors receive training.

- Mentors are assessed.

How much do the mentors get paid?

Mentors are volunteers but they will be compensated for travel and manaaki costs.

What are the “specific educational outcomes” expected from this programme?

The improved participation, retention and achievement of Maori students.

How do kids get on the programme?

Referrals may come from students, families, schools or the communities.

Maori Community Organisations Who Have Completed Training

(Please feel free to contact these people)

Organisations Place Contact Phone Email Numbers of

Students Mentors Schools

Anamata Whakatane Sandre Kruger 07-3070498 anamata@wave.co.nz 30 15 6

KIWA Education Partnerships Gisborne Maringi Joe 06-8683902 kiwapmg@xtra.co.nz 30 20 5

Ngati Hine Health Trust Whangarei Christine Henare 09-4041551 christine@nhht.co.nz 50 25 5

Te Runanga O Raukawa Levin Ella Kauri-Davis 06-3688678 Ellakauri-Davis@raukawa.iwi.nz 40 30 7

Te Kupenga Society Inc Trust Waitara Tom Hunt 06-7544634 WaitaraResource@xtra.co.nz 30 15 7

Waikato Raupatu Trust Ngaruawahia Tipa Mahuta 07-8245642 tipam@tainui.co.nz 50 30 5

Te Whanau O Waipareira Auckland Teriki Stewart 09-8390848 tstewart@wai-trust.co.nz 50 25 8

Maori community organisations in Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, Rotorua, Whanganui, Auckland, Napier, Taupo and Kaitaia are still undergoing training. They have yet to recruit and train mentors. They also still have to connect with schools in their area. Their names and contact details will available in a few weeks from Sonya Rimene, Ministry of Education 04 463 8000.

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