M腻ori leaders graduate with bachelor鈥檚 degrees from Otago Polytechnic

18/03/2024

A group of M腻ori leaders at Downer have graduated with bachelor鈥檚 degrees from Otago Polytechnic | Te P奴kenga as part of a groundbreaking initiative involving Te Puni K艒kiri and Capable NZ.

The new graduates crossed the stage at the Dunedin Town Hall on Friday 15 March in a graduation ceremony that capped a journey that began in September 2022, when 10 tauira (participants) embarked on the Te Puni K艒kiri cadetship programme, Te Whanake Timatanga, which offers M腻ori employees the opportunity to advance their careers and achieve a recognised NZQA qualification, with funded training, guidance, and support.

The Downer cohort have all completed the Bachelor of Applied Management programme through Capable NZ, a school within Otago Polytechnic that provides alternative pathways to qualifications for experienced adults who are in the workplace.

“Each graduate had previously completed Downer’s Te Ara Whanake (M腻ori leadership) programme, so this bachelor’s qualification is a crucial next step in supporting tauirato support M腻ori aspirations that ultimately develop tauira into senior management positions,” says Jarrod Telford, Downer Pou Matua.

“Our 10 graduates come from all over Aotearoa comprising five w腻hine and five t腻ne, and hold a range of different roles across our business – from Contract Managers to Engineers and Quantity Surveyors.

“Many have been in our business for a number of years. They have a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience, but sometimes the lack of a formal qualification can be a block to career advancement. It is Downer’s hope that this programme becomes a real game changer for wh腻nau and the company.”

Karen McGuinness, Director of Investments at Te Puni K艒kiri, says the cadetship programme “provides a proven avenue for M腻ori of all ages to gain skills and to progress into higher鈥�paid, more senior roles”.

“The programme enables them to become leaders in and beyond the workplace," she says.

"The flexibility of the cadetship programme to support kaimahi (employees) of wide-ranging ages, skills and seniority levels is a strength that provides opportunities to support the M腻ori workforce in ways not available through other government programmes.”

Capable NZ offers mature and experienced professionals and community leaders an affirming and flexible path to gaining a formal academic qualification. Through its unique Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) methodology, it recognises learning that has already been acquired.

“This innovative partnership between Downer, Otago Polytechnic and Te Puni Kokiri offers a transformational pathway for mature and experienced pakeke,” says Associate Professor Kelli Te Maiharoa, of Capable NZ.

“It’s a collaborative, indigenous model of education, bringing together iwi, industry, educational institutions, community organisations and government agencies,” Dr Te Maiharoa says.

“We offer the opportunity for pakeke to study and learn in a kaupapa M腻ori learning environment with M腻ori facilitators, M腻ori assessors and the chance to undertake this incredible learning journey with a cohort of amazing wh腻nau tauira. Those involved in the programme are expected to attend w腻nanga and make time in their busy lives to complete their work,” Dr Te Maiharoa says.

“This group of pakeke grew up in an era when M腻ori often didn’t have an opportunity to enter tertiary study,” Dr Te Maiharoa says.

“Today, most are too busy leading wh腻nau, hap奴, r奴naka and iwi affairs to have the option of taking three years away from work to achieve a degree they have always aspired to,” Dr Te Maiharoa says.

Although Otago Polytechnic’s Graduation was a milestone for the multi-partner initiative, it is the first in what is hoped to be an ongoing series of success stories, with another 11 Downer kaimahi having just started bachelor’s degree study via Capable NZ.

“A tu腻kana: t膿ina approach is now being role modelled within the company, where wh腻nau from the initial pilot are now offering mentoring support to their t膿ina r艒p奴,” Dr Te Maiharoa says.

“We wish both the new graduates and the kaimahi who have just started their studies all the best,” Dr Te Maiharoa says.

Congratulations to our 10 graduates: Brenden Skipper (Auckland), Craig Beazley (Porirua), Hayden Russell (Taupo), John Monu (Porirua), Julie Tilson (Christchurch), Julie Waitai (Taupo), Linda Lapwood (Dunedin), Monique Adams-Brown (Tauranga), Tanya Jones (Christchurch), Taumai Marshall (Wellington).

_{(Left to right) Tutors Stacey Gullen-Reynolds and Michelle Te Koeti; Downer's 2024 graduates; Professor Kelli Te Maiharoa and Jarrod Telford.}