SPEECH: Launch of Manu-Ao Academy for M

Launch of Manu-Ao Academy for M
ori Academic and Professional Advancement; Wednesday 3 June 2009

Te Herenga Waka Marae, Victoria University

 

Delivered on behalf of Hon Dr Pita Sharples

Minister of Maori Affairs and Associate Minister of Education

 

For all of us who rise to greet the early dawn, our sights are now being set on the north east horizon, as we seek out the rising sun.

 

For it is in this period that we may gaze upon Matariki, the key navigation beacon for our voyages of discovery; the symbol of celebration of new life.

 

And so it is entirely appropriate that today, in the period of Matariki, we celebrate the new life of Manu-Ao; the dawning of the next era of enlightenment.

 

I am delighted to offer these few words of congratulations, to everyone involved in establishing Manu-Ao: the Academy of Maori academic and professional advancement.

 

In Te Ao Maori a well-known concept is ma te huruhuru, ka rere te manu (adorn the bird with feathers so it can fly). Other citizens of the globe have been influenced by this concept, as we see in the phrase, ‘the early bird gets the worm’.

 

With Manu-Ao then, we have the warmth of the shelter provided by the network; the dazzling beauty of the talents that shine out from these wise mentors and leaders; along with the sustenance offered by the food of the knowledge.

 

Manuao, of course, is also the name of the whare at Ratana Pa – a name which represents a vivid dream had by Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana in which he felt compelled to build a place a refuge and strength for his people, to protect them from the ravages of storm.

 

Manu-Ao – if you were to describe it literally – is an inter-University Maori Academy for Academic and Professional Advancement.

 

But it is much more than a website, a blog or an academic forum.

 

Manu-Ao is about a way of life – the way of the network.

 

How will we know that the net is working, that the catch is good?

 

We have relationships forged through Manu-ao with the initiative of eight universities working together.

 

The success of the networking phenomenon has already been evident with the recent announcement from the Tertiary Education Commission of an injection of $2.5 million over three years, to further advance the concept of Manu-Ao.

 

In announcing the funding, reference was made not only to the eight universities, but also the active role and support of the New Zealand Vice Chancellors Committee on Maori, Te Kahui Amokura.

 

So what advantages from Manu-ao will demonstrate that the net is truly working?

 

It’s a lot like fishing actually. It’s a case of putting the line out to sea, and never knowing what’s on the other end. The catch is only as good as your imagination.

 

And if I was to offer some enticements in the form of bait, I wouldn’t have far to look.

 

In the last twelve months, a series of pilot seminars has involved such leadership and enterprise as we have come to expect from:

 

Þ Dr. Te Ahukaramk Charles Royal who presented his research on m
tauranga M
ori and its creative potential;

 

Þ a series of podcast lectures hosted by the University of Auckland to commemorate the Bastion Point occupation of 1978,

 

Þ a presentation from Ta Tipene O’Regan exploring tribal economies and development strategies;

 

Þ a lecture from Professor Mason Durie at the Doctoral writing retreat at Hopuhopu – entitled, ‘Whanau 2033 : the determinants of transformation”;

 

Þ a seminar by Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith, ‘surviving and thriving in the academy’

 

Þ and so much more.

 

Manu-ao is an utterly positive initiative which at its core is about excellence, indigenous excellence.

 

It is about the motivation provided by high calibre leadership.

 

It is about the inspiration we can all benefit from in a well-qualified workshop.

 

It is about exciting a generation of academics and professionals to advance indigenous scholarship.

 

I want to particularly commend Massey Univeristy and the Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Maori) Professor Mason Durie who will be taking on the role of chairmanship of Manu-Ao.

 

The guidance of Professor Durie and Te Kahui Amokura will receive the breath of life through the work of Dr Selwyn Katene, who is the appointed academic director for Manu-Ao. It will be his role to build on the collaborative pilot initiative that led the way to this launch today. Dr Katene will be also charged with spreading the wings of Manu-Ao far and wide, to ensure that local branches are established to foster the spirit of co-operation across the network.

 

I am extremely optimistic about the outcomes we can expect to see from Manu-Ao.

 

I am informed that planning is already underway to hold a national symposium on Mäori leadership in Wellington next year.

But there’s a lot of networking and intellectual debate to go on before then.

There’s the need to develop meaningful and enduring partnerships between professional organisations and academics.

Weekly ‘interactive seminars’ featuring keynote speakers begin in earnest next month including such hot topics as the next steps for the foreshore and seabed; the proposed Auckland supercity and the usage of Maori place names.

And there will be a whole series of academy sponsored activities including seminars, lectures, leaders’ groups, fora and symposia.

Each of the participating institutions in Manu-Ao will have the opportunity to extend its own development programmes for M
ori staff and on the basis of what needs are identified.

These initiatives will be brought together with the development of leaders groups for Maori academics, in which those with outstanding academic analysis will be further strengthened through management and leadership responsibilities.

As both the Minister of Maori Affairs; and the Associate Minister of Education, I can honestly say that there will be enormous appetite and enthusiasm for the promise that Manu-Ao offers.

Political advancement for indigenous peoples needs to benefit from the skills and strategies that this network will bring forth.

And if I could have one wish to share at this most auspicious launching today, it would be to encourage you all to cast the net as far as possible, in both recruiting and attracting Maori to Manu-Ao – but also, importantly, in considering the widest needs of Maori as citizens; as teachers; as parents; as constituents; as learners.

Ma te huruhuru, ka rere te manu – many Manu-Ao allow us all to fly with confidence into the future we have inherited from those who continue to inspire us forwards.