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Education initiative to build Maori leadership
October 15, 2009
An exciting new initiative aimed at building Maori leadership is scheduled to open in Whangarei next year.
The initiative is aimed at young Maori men at secondary level with academic ability or talent in any field. Leadership development is provided through an innovative residential programme, customised learning and partnering with local secondary schools.
The initiative, aptly named the “Leadership Academy of A Company”, is a tribute to the men and history of the 28 (Maori) Battalion - A Company. It is one of only eight projects throughout New Zealand – and the only one in Northland - to have secured funding from the ASB Community Trust’s new Maori and Pacific Education Initiative fund.
Spokesperson Telly Warren, Chair of He Puna Marama, the organisation behind the initiative, said that the Academy would draw on successful learning models from the past, including the Military, Maori boarding schools, and Maori Trade Training.
“We are very honoured to have been bestowed this name. The Battalion has rich history that touches every Maori community in the north. Of the four companies in the battalion, ‘A Company’ was comprised of men from the north of the Bombay Hills, commonly called ‘the gumdiggers’. Living up to that legacy is part and parcel of the Academy’s high expectations”.
Mr Warren said the Academy’s aim was to be “a centre of excellence for leadership” The three key planks of the Academy are:
- Be Maori – be comfortable with who you are
- Be Rangatira – live lives of integrity, self discipline and service
- Be Educated – aim high
Like the Maori Boarding schools of old, boys live at the Academy during the week to focus effort and build a culture of excellence and achievement. They will follow a structured mentoring programme not unlike the military and like Maori Trade Training their education is carried out by education institutes such as high schools or qualified providers of secondary school programmes.
The Academy will start in 2010 with a maximum intake of 20 students, or ‘cadets’ as they will be known. In this first year, applications will be accepted from whanau with boys who are in Year 9 through to year 12. The Academy’s education staff will work with the cadet, his whanau and his high school to develop and implement a customised learning plan. The Academy’s Cadre team will provide the day to day care, guidance, mentoring and a programme of activities before and after school, building upon the three key Academy planks.
A venue for the Academy is about to be finalised, and applications are now open for the key staffing positions. We seek people who are highly principled, dedicated to working with our youth, may have an extensive military, education or youth work background and bring that something ‘extra’ to the mix.
Applications for potential cadets for 2010 open soon. A presentation night is being planned for interested whanau.
Mr Warren said that the Academy was the only one of its kind in New Zealand, and that ASB Community Trust should be congratulated for its support of innovative approaches to encouraging Maori boys’ achievement.
“Our mission is to work with whanau, high schools and the wider community to support secondary students with talent to excel.
For more information on the Academy including staff recruitment and cadet selection please view the Academy website on www.mokonz.co.nz or phone 09 4388422.