Tamaiti Whangai Team Graduate with Youth Work Degree

Tamaiti Whangai Team Graduate with New Zealand’s First Youth Work Degree

David Lomax (Muaūpoko), Hinemoa Priest (Te Ati Awa, Nga Ruahine), and brother and sister Rangi and Susan Luke (Te Ati Awa, Ngati Maniapoto, Nga Ruahine) are today graduating with a Bachelor of Youth Development.

“This is an auspicious day for Te Āti Awa and Tamaiti Whangai. This achievement is a great example of how people even in their late 20s and 30s can commit themselves to academic preparation and achieve what they pursued which in turn will have a great value to many other young Maori with whom they will be assisting,” Dr Kara Puketapu, elder and Kaumatua Te Runanganui o Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika a Maui Inc (Te Āti Awa).

“Now it is your turn to proclaim it to the people and certainly to all mokopuna – grandchildren of your whanau and of your tribe and to every other person of every race with whom you feel would benefit from the experience which you have successfully now achieved,” says Dr Puketapu.

WelTec’s Chief Executive Dr Linda Sissons says, “18 students are graduating with the Bachelor of Youth Development this week in ceremonies in Wellington and Auckland. There are estimated to be 3000 youth workers employed in New Zealand and many volunteers. We’re helping to improve youth work practice and the skill level of practitioners through the credentialing of this workforce.

“Within this graduating cohort are four staff members from the Tamaiti Whangai team. Tamaiti Whangai is an iwi-led initiative that works to ensure the participation and success of Maori students at tertiary level.

“The staff graduating today are leaders at WelTec and great role models. I am so proud of them today and I acknowledge the Runanga and people of Waiwhetu Marae in getting us to this important milestone,” Linda Sissons.

David Lomax who left school at 15 years with no qualifications is today standing tall as he receives his degree. Super star status on the sports field as a national and international rugby league player has today been matched by his academic achievements.

Hinemoa Priest, Kaiwhakahaere Maori at WelTec says through the achievement of the degree the Tamaiti Whangai team will be positive role models for the community. “We are already seeing the flow on effect with three other Tamaiti Whangai staff studying on this degree plus our whanau and members of our community discussing our achievements,” says Hinemoa.

A degree in youth development was seen as a natural step for people working with youth and needing a specialist qualification. In collaboration with the youth sector, social services industry training organisation and WelTec, the Bachelor of Youth Development was established.

It has seen a wide variety of students who work with youth or want to work within the sector join together in gaining evidenced-based education and skills, which are then applied back into the work environment.

ENDS

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