Within New Zealand nursing there is an awareness of need for relevant safe and accessible care for Maori, one approach has been to increase the number of registered nurses who identify as Maori. This goal has not been without its challenges. When it comes to the topic of Maori achievement in education most will readily agree that the research has focused on Maori underachievement. While this no doubt remains a reality for many Maori it is time to look at successful programmes and to ask why?
This presentation will give an overview of a successful Maori education programme - Tihei Mauri Ora which is undertaken within the Centre for Health and Social Practice at Te Kuratini o Waikato (WINTEC). This programme recognises kaupapa Maori and begins to address the needs of a minority community who are partners in a bi-cultural context. Although academic success is still predominately an individual accomplishment, Tihei Mauri Ora’s success is grounded in not only the individual but the development of the wider community, and building the capacity in hauora (health) in each whanau (family). It is the living of the content of this programme, rather than just delivering it which may be enabling achievement challenges for maori students to be overcome.
We will present the living of this programme, the small steps made for big gains, and the collaborative mahi (work) undertaken, from the perspective of the staff, students and whanau. Discussing what is different about our successful approach to the positive outcomes for maori Bachelor of Nursing students in the Tihei Mauri Ora stream.