May 17th 2012
ISSUE 50 EXCLUSIVE
Literacy key to Education Success
Lifting the literacy and language skills of Maori and Pacific children lay at the heart of a research centre set up at the University of Auckland in 1998.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
May 17th 2012
ISSUE 50 EXCLUSIVE
Education - getting it right now for a successful future
An ambitious ministry-led project , with aims to help today’s Pacific students into tomorrow’s good jobs, has just passed its first milestone.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
May 14th 2012
Tongan students attend 'Young PALM' in Japan
Two high school students from the Kingdom of Tonga have been selected to participate in the first Young PALM meeting hosted by the Okinawa Prefecture Government from May 21-27th, 2012 in Japan.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
May 11th 2012
Top award for Maori language teacher
A Maori language teacher at one of the few te reo immersion schools in Taranaki has received a National Excellence in Teaching Awards.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
May 10th 2012
Pasifika education given short shrift
Giving children the resources to learn a second language is something most parents applaud, yet opportunities for Pasifika children are being stymied by the National-led Government, says Labour's Pacific Island Affairs spokesperson Su'a William Sio.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
May 9th 2012
Canadian teachers impressed with New Zealand school's bicultural model
The incorporation of Maori culture into New Zealand schooling has impressed two Canadian teachers undertaking a four-month work placement at Devon Intermediate.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
May 9th 2012
Professor Sir Mason Durie to retire
Massey University Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Mäori and Pasifika) Professor Sir Mason Durie will retire from his current positions next month.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
May 8th 2012
'Going gets tougher' for Maori and Pacifica students
Mana wants to know what advice the Tertiary Education Minister Stephen Joyce received about the likely impact of his proposals for cuts in student allowance entitlements before he made them public last week.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
May 3rd 2012
Niue's Laptop scheme now back in action
The regional director of One Laptop per Child, or OLPC, says he believes a change in personnel in the Education Ministry in Niue is behind the island re-embracing the scheme.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
May 1st 2012
Reference group to boost Maori medium teaching workforce
Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Minister Pita Sharples have announced the establishment of an expert reference group on the Māori-medium teaching workforce.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
April 30th 2012
Minister supports Maori language in all schools
Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples has congratulated his colleague, Trade Minister Tim Groser, for saying te reo Maori should be taught in all primary schools.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
April 30th 2012
A First for Felicity
Felicity Muamai Hakai has been named the first Top Subject Scholar in Samoan for 2011, in this the inaugural year of it being a New Zealand Scholarship subject.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
April 26th 2012
Waikato graduate taking knowledge back to the Solomons
A University of Waikato graduate is taking what she learnt at Waikato home with her, and hopes to have a big impact on the quality of teacher education in the Solomon Islands.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
April 26th 2012
AUT school of Communication Studies Awards Evening 2012
SPASIFIK Magazine have always supported graduates and recent students at the Auckland University of Technology.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
April 23rd 2012
Marae hosts Hawaiian Lu'au for graduating PhD scholar
The University of Waikato marae will be hosting a special graduation ceremony this week, with a decidedly Pacific twist. Graduating Hawaiian PhD student Keao NeSmith will be joined by nearly a dozen members of his family, coming to New Zealand to share in his success.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
April 23rd 2012
Pasifika teens need voice in contemporary family lives
Pacific parents need encouragement to acknowledge and listen to teenagers and negotiate which traditions best support their wellbeing, says a Samoan sociologist.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
April 19th 2012
Art a new direction for Henderson student
Boston Taane, 15 years old, has finally figured out his calling after attending Target Education, an alternative education unit in the West Auckland suburb of Henderson. This month Boston exhibited work in his first art show and auction.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
April 18th 2012
Maori academic adds to knowledge about stroke rehabilitation
The high incidence of stroke among Māori prompted neuropsychologist Margaret Dudley to research rehabilitation in stroke suffers for her PhD. “The incidence of stroke among Māori is higher than any other population in New Zealand so I knew that any research into this subject area would be beneficial to Māori”.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
April 12th 2012
Sione's first walk
The story of a young Sāmoan boy’s first walk to school has won a national road safety picture book competition for a group of students at Fruitvale School in Auckland.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
April 12th 2012
Accelerating Careers for Maori and Pacific
Young Maori and Pacific students will have the chance to accelerate their futures at a special career planning day to be held at AUT University’s Manukau campus in April.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
April 11th 2012
National Race Unity Speech winner
"I came home crying and told my mum and dad that I didn’t want to be brown anymore. I wanted to be white, have blonde hair and blue eyes. Looking back now, I wonder why a 5 year old would say that? I am a strong believer that racism is not born, it is learned behaviour.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
April 10th 2012
AUT and Cook Islands Government to sign Education MOU
Auckland University of Technology's (AUT) Vice-Chancellor, Derek McCormack and the Hon Teina Bishop, Minister of Education, Government of the Cook Islands, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at AUT's Manukau Campus on Wednesday 11 April.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
April 4th 2012
Pacific Scholarships and awards address health workforce shortages
Nearly $1.7 million will be awarded to more than 220 Pacific people who have chosen to study a health related qualification in 2012.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
April 4th 2012
Maori weaving courses used to launch a productive business in Kaitaia
Māori weaving courses at NorthTec used to launch a productive business at home in Kaitaia.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
April 4th 2012
Pasifika fare at campus umu
The appetising aroma of smoky cooked meat and vegetables lured Albany campus staff to a lunchtime umu last week.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
April 3rd 2012
Students: Minister's decision hurting the vulnerable
University of Auckland students are up in arms about a move that will see 1500 students lose weekly payments that enable them to study. Tertiary Education Minister Stephen Joyce has announced that unlike previous years, there will be no adjustment to the parental income threshold for student allowances.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 29th 2012
Samoan book to help pupils get to school safely
A proud primary school is celebrating the multicultural personal journey of its students, which will hopefully make it safer for pupils around New Zealand to get to and from school.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 27th 2012
Scholarships available for Outward Bound Courses
Outward Bound is opening the doors for more New Zealanders to do one of its courses by making available a limited number of scholarships for people to attend a Classic Course this year.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 27th 2012
Real need for men to be involved in early childhood education
A keynote speaker at the Early Childhood MenZ Summit in Wanganui said it was heartening to see that men are now realising a career in early childhood education is a viable option.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 27th 2012
NZ School for Social Entrepreneurs officially launched in South Auckland
Twelve entrepreneurs involved in an array of social ventures aimed to radically improve lives in their communities have been selected for the first intake of the new action leaning school.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 26th 2012
Home-grown doco shows just how much tertiary study can change lives
Tongan Netane Takau felt he was destined for a life going nowhere, being no-one, but a decision to come to New Zealand to stay with his Aunty changed all that…
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 26th 2012
Twenty talented students named as inaugural UC Arts Scholars
Twenty talented students have been named as inaugural ‘Arts Scholars’ as part of a new scholarship programme in the University of Canterbury’s College of Arts designed to provide an enhanced learning experience for high achieving arts students.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 26th 2012
NZ Career College graduation celebrations
On 29 March, a night of celebration and inspiration will herald the graduation of 200 New Zealand Career College students at the Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 20th 2012
Maori awards and scholarships
Te Putea Whakatupu Trust says applications are open for two scholarships. The new Rona Scholarship is offered to Maori students completing a degree in fisheries, aquaculture or marine sciences. The Tawera Scholarship is also being offered to Maori completing a bachelor degree in business, management or commerce.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 19th 2012
Maori students perform well in NCEA
Bay of Islands College in Kawakawa has recorded its best overall NCEA results, with Maori students performing especially well according to an article in the Northern Advocate.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 15th 2012
Massey and Te Wananga agree Maori education path
An agreement has been signed between Massey University and Te Wänganga o Aotearoaimed at providing more integrated tertiary education opportunities for Mäori.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 15th 2012
Indigenous tertiary hui unites Maori Educators
New Zealand’s Māori tertiary whānau and iwi leaders will unite to discuss and debate issues impacting on the success of learners at a two-day national conference at the end of this month. The second Māori tertiary education hui – Tuia Te Ako 2012 – will be held at Wellington’s Pipitea Marae
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 14th 2012
Te Hapai O - unique mentoring for teachers of Maori learners
A unique induction and mentoring approach launched today will help build the confidence and expertise of beginning teachers employed in Māori-medium settings.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 14th 2012
Thousands to benefit from Youth Guarantee
A total of 9616 training places will be available in 2012 for 16 and 17 year olds under the Government's Youth Guarantee Scheme, Tertiary Education, Skills & Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Education Minister Hekia Parata announced.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 14th 2012
Kohanga Reo calls for separation from Education Ministry
Te Kohanga Reo National Trust Board opened an urgent Waitangi Tribunal hearing on Monday calling for a law change for the Maori pre-schools not to be run by the Ministry of Education.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 14th 2012
Celebrations to recognise Maori academic excellence
The University of Waikato will host the tenth annual Te Amorangi National Māori Academic Excellence Awards this month. The awards recognise Māori PhD graduates who have had their doctorates conferred in the last calendar year.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 13th 2012
Youth scholarships closing soon
Applications for Manurewa Local Board’s Youth Leadership Scholarships 2012 close on 31 March. There is a total of $10,000 available for scholarships this year, with a maximum of $2,000 awarded to any one applicant.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 12th 2012
ISSUE 49 EXCLUSIVE
Going the distance
With over 20 years’ experience working in administration, Mandy Tepania decided, with the support and encouragement of her family, that she needed to put some qualifications behind that experience.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 12th 2012
Nelson Tasman Trades Academy
The Nelson Tasman regions’ first trades training academy for secondary students has opened last Friday with a powhiri at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology to welcome its first 100 students.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 6th 2012
Success for NZ Scholarship Subject Award winner
Felicity Muamai Hakai has been named the first Top Subject Scholar in Samoan for 2011, in this the inaugural year of it being a New Zealand Scholarship subject.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
March 2nd 2012
Marae based training scheme offers building trade courses
Thirty-five new students were welcomed to the Nga Kanohi Marae o Wairarapa trades training scheme in Masterton this week. The marae-based training scheme was the first of its kind in New Zealand at its launch in the town in 2009.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 29th 2012
Waikato University students bring Sailor the Puffer fish to life with Apple app
A team of students from Waikato University have developed an app to teach kids with asthma how to best manage their `condition`, with the help of a wee puffer fish called Sailor.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 28th 2012
Govt funds Pacific trades initiative for Christchurch
The Government is providing $6 million to support Pacific peoples enter into trades training in 2012 and 2013 to assist with the Christchurch rebuild, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Steven Joyce and Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Hekia Parata announced today.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 23rd 2012
Maori Trade Training collective ‘whanaungatanga in action’
Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples says the formalisation of a collective of Maori tradesmen in Christchurch shows ‘whanaungatanga in action’ – and the value of traditional cultural bonds to meet a modern crisis.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 23rd 2012
Programme benefiting parents with teenagers
A free parenting programme run by The University of Auckland for parents who want to improve their relationship with their teen is getting the desired results.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 23rd 2012
Call for applications for Fulbright Fellowship
Fulbright New Zealand and the New Zealand Harkness Fellowships Trust invite applications for the Fulbright-Harkness New Zealand Fellowship, which offers the opportunity for an emerging New Zealand leader in any field of study or vocation other than health care to study or research in the US for a minimum of six weeks.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 22nd 2012
The foundations for a career in early childhood education start here
Our revised National Certificate in Early Childhood Education & Care, Level 3 is a perfect foundation if you want to start a career in early childhood education.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 21st 2012
Success celebrated in the capital
Deidre Utupo, one of more than 50 recipients of scholarships presented at the Wellington Institute of Technology is thrilled with her award. Deidre is studying towards a Bachelor of Creative Technologies, with a digital media major, and will commence year two of the degree this year.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 21st 2012
Opeloge Ah Sam takes up the baton on behalf of Pasifika and Maori music students
A tertiary music career path had not seemed something achievable for Pasifika and Maori students in the past but this attitude is about to be turned around with a former Mangere College music teacher taking a big step forward in his own career.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 20th 2012
University welcomes students with live musical performance
The Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture & Pacific Studies (OCACPS) welcomed new students of the Faculty of Arts, Law and Education (FALE) with live musical performances by the Pasifika Voices during the third day of Orientation this week.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 20th 2012
Unlawful students fono in West Auckland
Do you know of any families living in New Zealand unlawfully? Their children may still be able to attend school. Find out how to apply below.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 17th 2012
Pacific young people try out as line mechanics
ALL involved in a bootcamp for young Pacific people to try out as line mechanics should be commended for their initiative, the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs says.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 16th 2012
Polytechnics, Pacific Churches and TEC launch Pasifika Trades Training Scholarships
The Wellington Ministers’ Fellowship, Whitireia and Weltec presented 80 Pasifika Trades Training Scholarships at the Opera House, Wellington this week.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 14th 2012
Taking action to raise quality in early childhood education
Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced the establishment of two working groups to improve quality early childhood education for young children. “We are taking action to make sure all early childhood education services are of the highest possible quality,” says Ms Parata.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 14th 2012
Increased classroom numbers 'can only succeed on a case-by-case basis'
Mountaineer and co-founder of the Foundation for Youth Development (FYD), Graeme Dingle, has expressed concern at education cost-cutting measures suggested by Treasury last week. The suggestions include more children per class and state school closures, to free up money for better-quality teaching.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 13th 2012
Wellington Trades Academy launches again off the success of its first year
In WelTec Trades Academy’s first year a whopping 94 percent of the 77 students who signed on have gained NCEA level 2 passes. That’s set a high benchmark and with an expected cohort of 125 students this year Dean Trish Collett is keen to see it emulated.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 13th 2012
Starpath is helping more students succeed at school
A pioneering research project, which is helping underachieving secondary school students succeed at school, is growing rapidly in scope. Starpath, a partnership between The University of Auckland and the Government, was established in 2005 to determine evidence-based ways of improving education results for Māori, Pacific and students at low-mid decile schools.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 13th 2012
Study and live your life with Open Polytechnic
Wanting a better education to improve his family’s standard of living and open up his career prospects, Jimmy Funaki took up studies with the Open Polytechnic. After hard work and determination, Jimmy succeeded in his efforts, graduating with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Accounting, earlier this year.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 9th 2012
Unique degree to boost Maori language teaching
A new four-year Māori immersion teaching degree will help to fill a critical shortage of expert Te Reo teachers and help halt the decline of the language, says Massey University Associate Professor Huia Tomlins Jahnke, who led the development of the course.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 9th 2012
New school for Falealupo
Falealupo village took delivery of their new school in the weekend thanks to continuing assistance from the Japanese government.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 7th 2012
Maori Boy Genius documentary to premiere in Berlin
Maori Boy Genius is the title given to a documentary about Wairoa-Waikaremoana boy Ngaa Rauuira Puumanawawhiti, who attended Yale University at the age of 15. The documentary will premiere at the Berlin Film Festival on February 10.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 7th 2012
Tertiary hopefuls need a good back-up plan
Careers New Zealand advises students who missed out on places in 2012, they need a good backup plan. With tertiary courses for 2012 beginning in a few weeks, Careers New Zealand is advising students who missed out on places to prepare a back-up ‘Plan B’
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 2nd 2012
UC opens new centre for Pasifika achievement
A new centre dedicated to raising the achievement of Pasifika students has been officially opened at the University of Canterbury’s College of Education. The Pasifika Talanoa Centre will be a hub where a community of educators including principals, teachers, community leaders, academics...
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
February 1st 2012
Samoan language preservation on radar for PhD Scholarship recipient
The impact of Manukau’s first university is already being felt, with AUT University awarding its first Manukau PhD scholarship to a recipient whose research is set to benefit the local community.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
January 26th 2012
MyStart programme re-ignites engineering dream for Neihana
Neihana Umuroa of Whangarei is now more assured about his career direction after last year discovering NorthTec’s MyStart programme. Neihana said MyStart had succeeded where school had failed managing to hold his interest...
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
January 26th 2012
From retail clothing store assistant to working accountant
Renata Himiona of Whangarei is proof that if you put in the hard yards you can go from having a part-time job in a retail store to a bright career in business.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
January 25th 2012
Adjunct faculty created to make students’ learning more authentic at Waiariki
Providing students with access to some of the leading movers and shakers in Māori and iwi development has driven the establishment of an adjunct faculty with Te Wānanga a Ihenga at Waiariki Institute of Technology.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
January 20th 2012
Applications for new Young Māori Trainee/Cadet Award now open
A new competition for young Māori working in agriculture has been introduced as part of the Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Māori Excellence in Farming Award in 2012. The inaugural 2012 Award is for the Young Māori Dairy Trainee/Cadet of the Year.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
January 18th 2012
Netane and Vicky's life changing year
The final episode of Unitec’s reality-doco campaign shows just how much students can change in one year. The last installment in Unitec Institute of Technology’s ad campaign which has been following real life students for the past 12 months went to air nationwide earlier this month.
CLICK ON PIC TO READ MORE
