Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopua students
When Mountains to Sea approached Toimata to support the development of their project in Te Reo Māori, we were happy to tautoko their kaupapa through the help of our key Wellington Poutautoko.
Poutautoko are the community liaisons of Te Aho Tū Roa who work in different ways with a diverse range of Te Aho Tū Roa participants to provide learning support through Te Reo Māori.
Our Wellington Poutautoko supported rangatahi in four kura Māori in Te Ūpoko o Te Ika to explore their local moana, and to undertake kaupapa-Māori research to find solutions for greater protection and recovery of marine environments in the Wellington region.
Dr Ocean Mercier
Guided by tikanga Māori, the students travelled out of school for research trips. This included snorkelling in protected and non-protected areas in the region and one school’s attendance at the 5th Annual Indigenous Mapping Wānanga for kura Māori.
A number of Māori scientists and experts visited them to discuss kaupapa-Māori research methodologies, local histories, and GIS technologies, showcasing pathways into fields of science by honouring mātauranga Māori as an invaluable foundation and repository of knowledge.
This included a mapping research session for the senior students at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna with Dr Ocean Mercier, researcher and lecturer at Victoria University.
One of the key aspirations for the programme is to support the students to engage with local parents, kaumātua, and community – living repositories of important local knowledge – to learn from, record, and preserve their knowledge to help inform future decisions that relate to the moana.
Ngā mihi nui to the numerous people and organisations that supported Te Kura Moana, through funding from Curious Minds, WWF New Zealand, and those who provided time, expertise, and resources – Experiencing Marine Reserves, Kapiti Island Nature Tours, Marine Metre Squared, Te Rōpū Āwhina at Victoria University, and the Guardians of the Kāpiti Island Marine Reserve.
Tihei Mauri Moana!
(Above image: Students from Whakatupuranga Rua Mano).
– All photos supplied by Mountains to Sea.
