After almost 20 years of delivering successful education and employment pathways for young Māori in Te Waipounamu, Te Tapuae o Rehua (Te Tapuae) is set for change in a bid to drive the systemic change required to create equity in education, employment and income for all Ngāi Tahu and Māori in the Ngāi Tahu takiwā.

Tokona te Raki: Māori Futures Collective is the solution – an iwi led collaboration offering a new, fresh and evolving approach to realising Māori potential.

The rationale for change is two-fold says Dr Hana O’Regan, Chair of Te Tapuae and General Manager Oranga, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

“Firstly, it’s about a desire for Te Rūnanga to align all of our education activities within the structure and secondly, how we as an iwi can use our strength and reputation to influence and lead the transformational change and innovative solutions to fully realise Māori potential.

“But most importantly it is propelled by a vision to achieve equity in education, employment and income for all Ngāi Tahu and Māori in the Ngāi Tahu takiwā by 2040.”

The benefits of achieving equity were recently outlined in a report released by Tokona Te Raki in Parliament, titled - Change Agenda: Income Equity for Māori.

The Collective has six key objectives: creating the space for change, developing new insights, building new solutions, driving systems change, building capability for innovation and nurturing a culture of learning.

“Ngāi Tahu have the relationships, influence and proven track record in collaboration and innovation to drive this kind of change,” say’s O’Regan.

“Really, it’s about a shift from programme leadership to being an influencer at the highest possible level. It’s about systemic change and innovation – investing in new ways, pushing boundaries and being dynamic. It’s also about mana whenua taking responsibility for advocating on behalf of all Māori in our takiwā.”

Te Tapuae Kaihautū, Dr Eruera Tarena Prendergast says, “New Zealand’s population is rapidly changing and the large numbers of aging Pākehā heading into retirement need to be countered by increasing numbers of young highly trained Māori reaching their full potential if we are to prosper together in the future.”

“Increased Māori participation, success and progression in education and employment outcomes means a reduction in social spend, increased economic productivity and a well-cared for aging population – it’s a win-win outcome.”

Te Tapuae o Rehua is a partnership between Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Ara, Lincoln University, Otago Polytechnic, the University of Canterbury and the University of Otago.

“Our Te Tapuae partners remain committed to the Treaty partnership and working together. The new approach is about being match fit for the future and ensuring we can achieve the best possible outcomes at the scale required”, says O’Regan.

For more information on Tokona Te Raki check out their website: http://www.maorifutures.co.nz/

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