From left to right, William Davis, Paora Anderson, Tia Barrett, Tawharangi Nuku, Sherrianne Emery, Fred Potini, Rangi Thomas- Hotere, Te Taiurungi Dr Jim Mather, absent from the photo is Maia Mihaka 

Two new committees established to provide a kaumātua perspective and a kaimahi voice at the senior leadership level of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa have had their first meetings.

The committees - Te Taumata Kaumātua and Te Muka Kaimahi – aim to strengthen the performance of our organisation by providing advice and guidance to Te Taiurungi Dr Jim Mather.

Te Taumata Kaumātua will assist Te Taiurungi on specific cultural matters relevant to Te Wānanga o Aotearoa along with providing guidance and advice on emerging issues, and support with managing relationships with Māori entities and other key stakeholders.

It had its first meeting this month after a pōwhiri at Te Puna Matauranga on February 15.

Te Taumata Kaumātua includes two kaumātua appointed by Te Taiurungi as well as three kaumātua representatives from each takiwā. Mita Te Hae, the former chairman of Te Kahui Amorangi, which was dissolved in 2014, is a member of the new committee and provides a link and transition of knowledge from one to the other. 

The other Te Taumata Kaumātua members are Marie Panapa, Timi Peri, Tupito Maruera, Te Ariki Morehu, Julie Tawa, Miria Tauariki, Jean Kaa, Matua Jim Rauwhero.

Te Muka Kaimahi is a staff forum which reports directly to Te Taiurungi to ensure that the ‘kaimahi voice’ is conveyed to both Ngā Tumu and Te Mana Whakahaere. It will meet bi-monthly and its function includes acting as a ‘sounding board’, sharing kaimahi views and providing feedback on organisational progress. 

Te Muka Kaimahi member and Certificate in Māori Performing Arts kaiako William Davis says the first meeting was mainly learning about the aims of the committee.

Te Taumatua Kaumātua

Back row from Paraone Gloyne, Paora Anderson, Tupito Maruera.
Front from Te Taiurungi Dr Jim Mather, Julie Tawa, Marie Panapa, Jean Kaa, and Jim Rauwhero

Absent: Mita Te Hae, Timi Peri, Te Ariki Morehu, Miria Tauariki

“It was a good chance to get a feel for what it’s for,” he says.

“We give him feedback on issues which are relevant to us now, such as recruitment, enrolment, marketing, and we try to talk to other staff members and listen to what’s happening.”

Te Muka Kaimahi consists of Te Taiurungi, two kaimahi nominated by each takiwā director, and one representing Te Puna Mātauranga.

Its members are: Fred Potini (Kaiwhakaere Ako, Palmerston North), Maia Mihaka (Kaiarataki Ako, Ōtautahi), Tia Barrett (Kaitohutohu – Whakauru Tauira, Raroera), Rangi Thomas-Hotere (Kaiako, Te Ihu), Sherrianne Emery (officer student finance, Te Puna Mātauranga), William Davis (kaiako, Mangere), and Tawharangi Nuku (Pouahorangi, Tauranga).

Paora Anderson is the kaitiaki for both committees and feedback will be shared with kaimahi on the work of both forums in future editions of ‘He Iringa Whare’.