At least since the 1990s, universities have sought to fulfil commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The Education and Training Act (2020) has made it plain that New Zealand universities, as state institutions, must go beyond the commitment statements. They have a duty to ensure good Māori engagement. For universities, under this Act, the Tertiary Education Commission’s (2020) ‘Tertiary Education Strategy’ highlights such priorities as: success for Māori students through barrier free access, learning settings free from racism, relationships with whānau and communities, responsiveness to learners’ identities and the incorporation of te reo and tikanga Māori into everyday activities. But what does this look like in practice, and what kinds of key changes to policy and practice in universities help realise this vision?  

In this talk, two educational scholars – Māori (Te Kawehau Hoskins) and Pākehā (Alison Jones)—consider two ways this rhetoric can be critically understood in universities in order to move forward from what feels like a ‘stuck place’. ‘Indigenous inclusion’ has been the most common approach to Māori engagement in university education in Aotearoa-New Zealand. Increasingly, another orientation, based on different premises, which might be called ‘indigenisation’, is becoming evident. 

In the presentation component of this special event, Hoskins and Jones will argue that indigenisation offers more hopeful possibilities for New Zealand universities as we continue to think about our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Following this presentation, staff working from across the university will have an opportunity to discuss together how this might apply to how we work at Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington. Morning tea and a light lunch will be provided.

This event is open to any staff working across the university – academic and professional – who are interested in this discussion and how it applies to our respective roles at Te Herenga Waka. Though not required, you may wish to read Hoskins and Jones’ recent article that is the inspiration for this event, “Indigenous Inclusion and Indigenising the University,” which you can find here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40841-022-00264-1

Once registered for this event, you will be contacted with full information about the event, including venue. For catering purposes please register no later than Tuesday 13 June.

Associate Professor Te Kawehau Hoskins is Ihonuku Pro Vice Chancellor (Māori), and Professor Alison Jones is a professor at Te Puna Wānanga School of Māori and Indigenous Education, at Waipapa Taumata Rau The University of Auckland.

Ngā mihi nui ki te Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Māori, Provost Professor Wendy Larner, and VicTeach, whose generous support has made this event possible.