1 Jul 2024
A group of 10 skilled kaimahi from across the motu touched down in Rotorua last week (Wednesday 26 June) to kick-start a year-long education journey that not only supports personal growth, but benefits future iwi development.
A group of 10 skilled kaimahi from across the motu touched down in Rotorua last week (Wednesday 26 June) to kick-start a year-long education journey that not only supports personal growth, but benefits future iwi development.
He Aho Kura Whākina – Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) Research Training is one of seven initiatives within Te Mana Whakatipu – a programme developed by Te Kāhui Raraunga (TKR) to build capacity and capability in the data space.
This initiative is specifically focused on upskilling participants in the use of the national research database, IDI, to access iwi-specific data to further iwi aspirations and outcomes.
Kirikowhai Mikaere, Data ILG Lead Technician says the kaupapa follows the successful pilot of iwi-led data collection programmes during the 2023 Census, which saw Māori response rates increase substantially in some areas.
“Through He Aho Kura Whākina, we are proud to enable our participants to build on their skillset, using data as a powerful tool to enhance their own data capabilities, through undertaking bespoke research for their iwi.”
Starting with the first of two, week-long training research sessions, He Aho Kura Whākina involves four hours per week of remote mahi, training participants in data confidentiality, SQL coding and data linking.
Bespoke research will then be undertaken by participants for their iwi, which through this year’s cohort includes, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Whatua ki Otamatea, Ngāti Ruapani, Tauranga Moana, Te Rarawa, Te Whānau ā Apanui, and Tūhoe.
More than 60 people responded to the call for applications that went out in May, unfortunately, only 10 applicants were able to be taken forward in this first pilot.
“The participants in He Aho Kura Whākina all have a genuine desire to extend their skills to contribute to the aspirations of their iwi.
“Each also brings an impressive depth of experience across a range of sectors, including health, education working within their iwi and have the desire to deepen the impact of their contribution to improve outcomes for their hapori,” says Ms Mikaere.
He Aho Kura Whākina participant, Te Amorangi Rikirangi-Thomas (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Ranginui), says He Aho Kura Whākina is the next step in a journey to deepen her impact and contribute significantly to the advancement of Māori data governance and sovereignty.
“I’m grateful for organisations like Te Kāhui Raraunga who actively play a role in creating, nurturing, and developing spaces where Māori people and perspectives can flourish.
“My passion is rooted in contributing to equitable outcomes for our people. It’s exciting to connect into a space that is guided by Indigenous data-driven decisions and to produce kōrero that shows the resilience, the excellence, and the potential of our iwi.
“I’m looking forward to building lasting relationships with like-minded people who care, respect and have a genuine interest in Māori data, and then share what I learn back with my iwi,” says Te Amorangi.
Te Kāhui Raraunga Chair, Rahui Papa, says He Aho Kura Whākina provides Iwi with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how to better utilise data within a powerful technical environment.
“By extending their skillset to use IDI, our participants can access data from across government agencies and sectors. This unlocks an opportunity to ask a broader range of questions and identify areas requiring change.
“This experience will be incredibly valuable to develop the skills of participants, building on their ability to enable iwi, hapū and whānau Māori to support iwi aspirations in a strategic and sustainable way,” Mr Papa says.