April 27, 2016
Wananga path for indigenous masters
People with experience in areas of indigenous arts or knowledge can now polish their skills with an advanced degree at Te Wananga o Aotearoa.
Matiu Payne, the director of the Master of Applied Indigenous Knowledge degree, says He Waka Hiringa has run successfully at the Hamilton campus for the past three years, and it launches today in Auckland.
He says it’s a way to recognise the skills indigenous practitioners have passed down, and to build their academic skills to help them pass that knowledge on.
It’s not just about the traditional arts or customary practices but students could come from any discipline in the community.
"What you need to demonstrate is what you describe as your indigneous practice, so along with the application form you present a portolio of written or photographic approaches where you describe what it is that is indigenous about what you do and what you want to achieve by studying at a masters level to recognise the knowledge that you have," Mr Payne says.
Being at the wananga gives people access not only to their peer mentors but also to academic staff with an indigenous background.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com