8 Mar 2010
In response to numerous requests and community interest, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology’s Te Tari Māori/School of Māori Studies has begun introducing Treaty of Waitangi workshops.
The workshops, called Te Pūtaketanga, the Founding Documents of Aotearoa/New Zealand, will provide an introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi and increase participants understanding of the place of the Treaty within contemporary New Zealand society. They will be a 1-day course held once a month throughout the year.
PJ Devonshire, NMIT’s Director of Māori Education is very excited that NMIT is once again being able to offer these Treaty of Waitangi workshops.
“It’s been sometime since NMIT has offered this type of workshop and we look forward to building on the work that was first started a number of years ago by a handful of dedicated staff members who were passionate about the Treaty and Treaty of Waitangi Education.”
The tutor and coordinator for the Treaty of Waitangi workshops with Te Tari Māori/School of Māori Studies at NMIT is Melissa Cragg. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the role, after 12 years involvement with the Treaty of Waitangi paper at Massey University. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Māori Studies and History, a Postgraduate Honours Degree in Māori Studies and has recently passed the Doctoral oral exam for her PhD study and will graduate in May this year. The title of her PhD thesis is, “The Application of Custom to Contemporary Māori Resource Development”.
In addition to this role, Melissa is the Lead Consultant at Karake Consultancy, which provides research and policy services with an emphasis on Māori development to community and government organisations across the top-of- the-south.
“We are very lucky to have Melissa and the experience and knowledge she brings, particular after having spent a number of years with Professor Mason Durie, who is acknowledged as being one of our foremost Māori authorities on the Treaty of Waitangi, as part of our team,” says PJ Devonshire.
Melissa Cragg says the workshops are open to anybody that would like to attend but will particularly suit those in community and government organisations who are Treaty partners and require this level of understanding in order to undertake their role/work effectively.
“In particular, this course will bring value to local businesses as it will give a comprehensive overview of the Treaty and how this is, and will, impact business today in our region. Especially as Māori are increasingly taking a larger part in business in this region and with the impending Te Tau Ihu Settlement process due to be finalised there will be opportunities within this region to further build relationships in terms of this,” she says.
The workshops will cover the history and events leading up to the signing of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and The Treaty of Waitangi, explore the content and intention of The Declaration of Independence, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and The Treaty of Waitangi, explore some of the history of Aotearoa from Tangata whenua and Pākehā perspectives and develop an understanding of contemporary issues around Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
“Having an introductory course is just the beginning. The long-term goal is to build on this course so that higher levels are offered for those who want or need a more in-depth understanding of the Treaty and its application in contemporary New Zealand society. These higher level courses could be tailored to suit the particular organisation or sector – so that specific aspects are concentrated on i.e. Early Childhood Development, Business, Social Policy etc,” says Melissa.
“We offer a safe comfortable learning environment within Te Tari Māori and we look forward to sharing some insights with those who have a desire to learn more about the Nation’s founding documents,” says PJ Devonshire.
For further information please contact
Melissa Cragg, NMIT Treaty of Waitangi Tutor and Coordinator ph 027 483 0128