The Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT) programme has one main goal - to ensure Māori and Pacific tauira receive supported tertiary learning and development while gaining life-long industry skills in trades.
The first Hui Whakarewa Orientation for UCOL MPTT students was held at Kauwhata Marae, Kawakawa (Feilding) to welcome new students to their place of learning.
The Hui Whakarewa provides tauira with an opportunity to reconnect with whānau while taking part in team building and bonding, meeting the people of Kauwhata Marae and listening to kōrero about the marae.
The orientation helps tauira understand the kaupapa of the MPTT program and the kind of support, work placement and preparation for employment they can expect from their time at UCOL.
Pouārahi-Director of Māori and Pacific Peoples Education, Teina Mataira, says the work staff and stakeholders put into preparing the hui made it a positive experience for everyone. UCOL is supportive of tauira from all backgrounds and levels of education so they can pursue skills that will see them succeed.
“A big mihi to the MPTT and Student Success staff for the preparation and work done on the day,” said Teina. “We were thrilled to have the support of
Manawatū District Council, and it was encouraging to us that Mayor Helen Worboys took the time to come along and meet whānau and tauira.”
Teina also wants to thank the iwi kainga of Kauwhata Marae. “They have for a long time been strong supporters of UCOL - it’s education and training initiatives.”
Hui whakarewa will be held across all four UCOL campuses. For tauira unable to attend the main hui, staff have been catching up with them on campuses for ‘kai sessions’ and smaller scale presentations.
Throughout the year, MPTT tauira will take part in more sessions to engage with each other and staff while building a strong community in their learning environment.
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