We are excited to announce our whakarongo ki te reo mātātahi kaupapa in west Auckland that empowers young Māori voices and encourages them to share their perspectives on issues that matter to them. A collaborative project between Te Hononga Akoranga COMET and two intermediate schools, Henderson Intermediate and Glen Eden Intermediate, kicked off this May with a series of writing workshops. The ultimate goal is to publish a collection of stories in October that truly reflect the thoughts and aspirations of our tamariki Māori.
In today's rapidly changing world, it is crucial that we provide platforms for young people to express themselves and actively participate in shaping their communities. With this initiative, we aim to harness the potential of young Māori in west Auckland by giving them a voice and the opportunity to contribute to their school, community and Aotearoa.
The writing workshops will equip young people with the skills to effectively communicate their ideas through storytelling in te reo Māori and English. They will learn the art of crafting narratives, expressing views, researching ideas and advocating for change in a manner that resonates with others. By nurturing their writing talents, we hope to foster creativity, critical thinking and empathy among our young storytellers.
One of the key objectives of this project is to highlight the perspectives of tamariki Māori, as their voices often remain unheard in mainstream conversations. By giving them a platform to articulate their thoughts, we endeavour to elevate the richness and diversity of Māori experiences and narratives. This collection of stories will serve as a testament to our young Māori population's unique perspectives and insights.
With election year 2023, it’s more important than ever that we give tamariki Māori a platform to express their views on issues that are important to them.
Ngā mihi maioha,
Dr Will Flavell
Education Māori Manager