Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa has developed strong relationships with Hapū and Iwi and through a number of courses which are now delivered on marae. This allows the Hapū and Iwi to deliver tertiary level studies to their people.
The Marae Based Studies (MBS) initiative is innovative and attractive to the Māori nation. The programme was developed in the belief that marae, whānau, hapū and iwi prefer that some of their people be taught at home, on subjects about home by people from home. The nature of MBS is based on the holistic well being of a person providing the individual with an opportunity to learn new skills as well as about himself or herself.
The MBS Programme involves one or more of our qualifications being delivered to students on their marae.
The organisational arrangements for the delivery of MBS are made up of the following rōpū.
MBS Committee
The MBS Committee is situated at Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa and is a sub-committee of Ngā Kaihautū. This committee maybe asked to present reports to the Academic Board and Te Mana Whakahaere. It is responsible for implementing policies and procedures pertaining to the academic, administrative and financial requirements and may make recommendations to Ngā Kaihautū and the Academic Board. This committee may recommend appointments of Kaituitui and Kaiwhakaako to Ngā Kaihautū and the Academic Board.
Komiti Mātauranga
The Komiti Mātauranga is formed by the group who successfully tono for the opportunity to deliver Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa studies on their marae. The Kōmiti Mātauranga makes recommendations to the MBS Committee to appoint who they wish to have as a Kaituitui. The role of the Kōmiti Mātauranga is to come to an agreement with Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa on arrangements that assist with the effective management of the academic, administrative and financial risks. Arrangements Komiti Mātauranga express are rangatiratanga, whanaungatanga and manaakitanga. By entering into a relationship with Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa it strengthens kotahitanga between the Wānanga and the marae.
Kaihautū of MBS
The Kaihautū, MBS is located at Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa and is responsible for overseeing the administrative operations of the MBS office. This person will often interact with the Tumuaki, MBS Committee, Kōmiti Mātauranga and the Kaituitui. The office of MBS services the MBS Committee who meet fortnightly. The Kaihautū, MBS is also responsible for developing systems that are consistent with supporting the running of the MBS programmes.
Kaituitui
The Kaituitui is identified and recommended by the Kōmiti Mātauranga to the MBS Committee and appointed by Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa. This person is the communicative link between the Kōmiti Mātauranga and Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa. The Kaituitui plays an instrumental role to the smooth implementation and maintenance of MBS programmes located on the marae and provides administrative and other organisational support for the delivery of MBS programmes.
Kaiwhakaako
The Kaiwhakaako are identified and recommended by the Kōmiti Mātauranga who are then approved by the Wānanga. Part of their role is to communicate with the programme directors. It is important for the Kaiwhakaako to attend training to ensure that they are fully informed of the required delivery outcomes and what needs to be achieved. Their role is to teach students on the dates and times agreed to by the Kōmiti Mātauranga and Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa.
Kaiāwhina
Kaiāwhina play a pivotal role to the successes of MBS. They are people who volunteer their services in any capacity to ensure the success of MBS. These people will often travel back to their marae to assist in the forward development of the whānau, hapū and iwi.
The guidelines that are encouraged by MBS are those that are consistent within the pukengatanga of the whānau, hapū and iwi. These guiding principles must align themselves with the aims and aspirations of the whānau, hapū and iwi.
The distinctive circumstances that MBS addresses is the increase of social capital located on the marae. In the past there has been a decline in the social capital on the marae due to moving to other locations in search of employment opportunities. MBS has allowed for this capital to return to marae to ensure its long-term survival.
The model of Marae Based Studies prescribes that:
"People will learn at home, about home by people from home”
The Marae Based Studies (MBS) locations.