What can libraries learn from Mātauranga Māori: presented at the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Region Weekend School held on 16 – 18 May 2014 in

Gisborne Presenters:Mohan Lal (Regional Library Manager), Waiariki Campus

Jock Walker(Regional Library Manager) Whirikoka Campus

Mātauranga Māori

• Mātuaranga Māori is a body of knowledge handed down by ngā Tipuna

• There are many strands of Mātuaranga Māori, however due to time constraints we have selected a few to discuss today

• We will focus on the ones used by TWoA to engage with tauira and kaimahi

Kaupapa Wānanga

Kaupapa Wānanga - explained

Koha The constant acknowledgement that valued contributions are to be given and received responsibly.

Kaitiakitanga The constant acknowledgement that participants (including Te Wānanga o Aotearoa as an institution) at any time and place are always engaged in relationships with others, their environments and kaupapa.

Āhurutanga The constant acknowledgement that quality spaces must be claimed and maintained to enable activities to be undertaken in an ethical and meaningful way.

Mauri ora The constant acknowledgement that pursuit of wellbeing is at the core of all Te Wānanga o Aotearoa kaupapa and activities

What is Wānagogy?

Wānagogy is derived from Mātauranga Māori and was developed by TWoA to engage with students & staff

Wānagogy embodies the :

Kaupapa o Te Wānanga o Aotearoa (ethos);

Ngā uarā (values);

Ngā takepū (principles) of Kaupapa Wānanga;

Ako Wānanga ( a unique teaching & learning strategy)

• Is the largest indigenous academic library in the World

• Its functions, practices and service delivery is underpinned by Wānagogy

• “Removing the barriers to education” – Dr. Rongo Wetere, Founder of TWoA

• “Don't teach me about my culture but use my culture to teach me” – Bentham Ohia, CEO, TWoA

Example 1:

Service delivery – Culturally responsive; removing the barriers to education: Offers 24/7 online serviceFree courier delivery to distance and online studentsNo fee charged for late returns – our koha to studentsRespectful and welcoming environment

• Tikanga Maori (maori cultural practices)• Whakawhanaungatanga (building connections)• Mana (prestige)• Whakapapa (legitimacy)• Tautokotanga (support)• Manaakitanga (hospitality)• Tau-utuutu (reciprocity)

Example 2:

•Information Literacy - (“Don't teach me about my culture but use my culture to teach me”)

•Referencing sources of Information – indigenous people acknowledge their oral sources – using this as a basis:

• We have developed an APA tutorial using the concept of whakapapa

• Plus an APA Haka - as indigenous people like to learn using all senses

Example 3: Staff

•Having knowledge of oral tradition, the role of whakapapa and te reo

•Knowledge of marae etiquette and being able to conduct themselves appropriately

•Having knowledge of tāonga in libraries, archives and museums

•All rohe have a Kaumatua on site to advise on matters of culture, tikanga, etc.

Future

•TWoA firmly believes that Matauranga is from ‘te ukaipo - ka ora ki ka mate i te tangata’ (cardle to grave)

•The vision of Te Pātaka Māramatanga is to the centre of excellence for Mātauranga Māori

•We are still learning and growing – its continuum

•Iwi liasion

•Oral History of local iwi

What can you add to your keteNā tō rourou, nā taku rourou

ka ora ai te iwiOur Koha to you:

•To engage with Maori you do not have to be a Maori

•What is needed is to have a desire to engage, be open minded, learn from Mātuaranga Māori and practice the values in your service delivery

•You need a non Eurocentric library model

He PataiMā te pātai, ka puta mai te mōhio

Mā te mōhio, ka puta mai te māramaMā te mārama, ka puta mai te mātauMā te mātau, ka puta mai te oranga

From a question, comes awareness From awareness comes understandingFrom understanding, comes knowledgeFrom knowledge, comes wisdom and wellbeing