Caucus gives Maori voice in MIT’s future direction

Friday, 13 July 2007

Caucus gives Maori a voice in MIT’s future direction

Manukau Institute of Technology is the first New Zealand institution to establish a formal Maori Caucus, according to MIT Te Amorangi Wiremu Doherty.

“The caucus is a unique body that has been created to give Maori staff and students more of a voice in MIT’s strategic direction as it mirrors all mainstream structures within the institute and will determine, support and promote the needs of Maori across the organisation,” he says.

Wiremu, who represents Maori on the MIT Executive, says while other organisations often have a Maori representative on their council or executive committee, they do not have a formal structure that sits alongside all mainstream bodies within the institute.

The caucus is vital to MIT’s future and enables the institute to be more responsive to the needs of Maori, both within the institute and in the wider community, adds Wiremu.

“The establishment of the caucus shows that MIT is serious about achieving and maintaining Maori participation and retention. It gives Maori a voice in the strategic direction of MIT as a whole.”

The first task for the caucus will be to determine the needs of Maori at MIT and in the community over the next five years and to put forward proposals to the MIT Executive and Council around meeting those needs.

“This will provide a snapshot of where Maori are now and will give the MIT Executive and Runanga a clear indication of where Maori want to be in the next five years.”

The Maori Caucus comprises five sub-committees that correspond to similar areas in the institute focusing on Maori students, staff, iwi relationships, Maori research and Te Komiti Tangata Whenua, a sub-committee of MIT’s Academic Board.

Each portfolio of the caucus will research the needs of Maori in its area of focus and present its findings to the caucus as a whole where they will be discussed before final proposals are delivered to the MIT Executive.

“This will ensure robust and clear objectives are conveyed to the Executive, enabling the MIT leadership to put plans and processes in place to achieve these goals.”

“It is vital for the caucus not to operate in isolation. In essence, if you get it right for Maori, it will be right for non-Maori.”

ENDS

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