In partnership with Waikato-Tainui, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa officially launched one of its newest programmes, Te Tohu Tiaki Taonga, designed to support iwi aspirations to equip their kaimahi with knowledge to preserve and archive taonga.

The launch took place Thursday, 15 May at the Hopuhopu Innovation Hub, where Waikato-Tainui plan to build a Whare Taonga as part of the Hopuhopu Development Project.

“This programme is a direct response to a need we have identified. We can’t build a Whare Taonga without equipping the people within it. We want to equip our own whānau to handle our taonga,” says Waikato-Tainui Chief Executive Officer, Donna Flavell.

Attended by representatives from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Waikato-Tainui, the launch was also an opportunity to acknowledge the cohort of 12 tauira, all Waikato-Tainui kaimahi, who will begin the 40-week programme in semester B 2025.

The programme was co-designed with iwi and subject matter experts in response to a growing demand for skills and knowledge required when it comes to preserving and archiving taonga while incorporating te ao Māori practices.

With strong support from Waikato-Tainui and numerous iwi endorsements through NZQA, the fulfilment of the level 5 programme reflects the commitment that Te Wānanga o Aotearoa has to working with iwi and responding to their education needs.

“It’s an honour that we have been able to partner with Waikato-Tainui to deliver this programme and we look forward to working alongside iwi in the future to support their aspirations in preserving and protecting their taonga,” says Te Wānanga o Aotearoa Chief Executive Officer, Evie O'Brien.

Te Tohu Tiaki Taonga is already being successfully delivered in Tauranga, where a cohort of 18 tauira are taught by kaiako, John Turi-Tiakitai.

On completion of the programme, tauira will have the skills and knowledge required to qualify for a range of roles, such as assistant museologist, assistant curator, iwi historian and more.

“By offering this programme to our people we are able to further develop knowledge and skills in preserving and archiving taonga while upholding tikanga Māori."  says Evie O’Brien.

Find out more about the new Te Tohu Tiaki Taonga programme.