Maui te tairua: mentoring programme with Hemi Hoskins (HOD
for Humanities) and Humarie Chick.
Lynette Winter introduced the session and provided brief
overview of the origin of the programme.
Hemi then introduced the background for the programme. Humarie
provided details of the programme, targeting Maori who were struggling (data
from Ara students’ analytics) in various programmes of study. 92 students of
which 74 were profiled. A range of challenges appeared including individual
family/whanau dynamics, financial issues, mental health challenges, the ‘withdrawal’
from course process and overall Ara processes for enrolment, application for
funding, delivery methods and information on support services.
Hemi then presented on the overall concept of the mentoring
programme There was a need for Maori to have a role model. Therefore, drawing
on Maori culture identifies the stories around Maui as one way to bring
connection between learners and their culture. Shared TedEd video by MatthewWinkler on ‘what makes a hero’. The ‘hero’ is prevalent across all cultures in
their stories.
Used the narrative from the ‘what makes a hero’ concept
(John Campbell) and contextualised it to Maori learners’ challenges. The cycle
of - call to adventure, meeting the mentor, entering the unknown, trials and
failures, the rebirth, revelation, redemption and the return. Used these to
help learners understand the cycle of life and how they may navigate their own
journey. Connected this to the Maori well-being model – te whare tapa wha –
spiritual, physical, mental and community well-being.
Shared the programme, based on the hero cycle, of activities
to engage learners and support them through their studies at Ara. 7 sessions
including guest speakers and workshop to help students work through the various
challenges. The final session confers tuakana (mentor) status on students participating,
so they then become the supporters of the next cohort.
An inspiring initiative. The programme has just started in July and will be
reviewed/evaluated in December.
Q & A followed.
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