Hoe Ngātahi Newsletter - June 2024: Supporting Māori learner success

As Matariki begins, it is important to stop and take note of the Māori new year and what it means in both a traditional and contemporary world. Heeni Hoterene, Maramataka Māori, says "Matariki is not just about who spots the rising stars first, but a period to stop and reflect on the year that was and realign with the environment."

Matariki is the indicator that we have come to Winter and it’s a time to chill. Essentially, it’s about being conscious of the environment - we’re saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming the new.

Matariki is a time to see how well you’ve worked. In a traditional sense, 'how full is your pātaka kai (pantry)?' In a modern sense, 'how full is your bank account?' or 'did you waste it all in summer?'

How might we give Matariki meaning?

The major moons in *Pipiri are Ōturu (full moon) and Whiro (new or black moon). We celebrate the last moon of the year, Mutuwhenua, and do something special like star gazing, and with Whiro we welcome the new year and all it brings. Following the start of the Māori new year is two months of celebration.

Google Matariki events in your community and celebrate with others. Join Māori events where all cultures can interact with and celebrate Te reo Māori, Māori culture, and tangata whenua (Māori people).

But it’s also a private time, we don’t need to have a big budget because sometimes the goal is intimacy, being with whānau and close friends. For celebrating Matariki have a look at some of the activities or ideas on the All Right? website.

*Pipiri is the first lunar month of the Māori year.

In this time of reflection, celebration and looking to the year ahead, Rōpu Taupuhipuhi Āmio have started planning a Celebration of Success ceremony to acknowledge ākonga who have completed their qualification in the past year or so. (We will look at completions in early November - so you have time to complete!)

We have amazing ākonga Māori who have worked hard, and we want to acknowledge and celebrate your achievement with you. The event will be held in Kirikiriroa | Hamilton on Thursday 5th December (details to be confirmed.) Invitations will automatically be sent to those who have completed and live within about 3 hours of Kirikiriroa.

If you live further away, but would still like to be invited, please let us know by emailing amio.mobile@careerforce.org.nz

Are you going through a tough time and need support?

We’re committed to promoting a healthy learning environment where Careerforce enrolled ākonga (learners) can talk to someone confidentially about their mental health when they need to.

Careerforce is extending support to those enrolled in a Careerforce programme through a short-term pilot programme. Our Mental Health Advisors are available to provide assistance to individuals on their learning journey.

Our objective is to foster a positive and supportive learning environment where all Careerforce programme participants feel comfortable seeking confidential support for their mental health and wellbeing. Please note that this initiative does not extend to Gateway ākonga as they have support within their school system.

Support is available via phone, text, email, Microsoft Teams, and depending on location, kanohi-ki-te-kanohi (face-to-face).

Take the first step. Simply visit our web page and complete the referral form.

This pilot is generously funded by Te Whatu Ora until 20 December 2024 for currently enrolled Careerforce learners.

Round 3 has closed. Applicants will be notified by: 1 July 2024

Round 4* Applications open: Monday 8 July - Sunday 21 July 2024
Applicants notified by: 5 August 2024

*Subject to continued funds availability. Dates are subject to change.

To apply for the funding, you need to complete the application form here when Round 4 begins.

To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a Careerforce programme and meet all the relevant criteria. For more information, please refer to our FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions).

You will be notified of the outcome of your application within two to three weeks of the fund closing date.
Recipients of the Manaaki fund will be asked to provide feedback to Careerforce to enable us to measure the impact of this funding.

Please note that online applications only are accepted. If you require any assistance to complete the application, we are happy to help and please contact us at Manaaki.Fund@careerforce.org.nz or on 0800 277 486 (ask for the Manaaki Fund Team).

Your wellbeing is important to us. We value your feedback.

Just a reminder, on Wednesday the 12 June you will have received an email regarding completing a short three-minute wellbeing survey. This is important as it will help us improve the wellbeing support we offer all our ākonga.

The short survey was sent on behalf of Te Pūkenga’s Learner Journey and Experience team. The survey aims to monitor learner wellbeing across the country, and is completely anonymous so no-one will be able to link your responses to you.

If you complete the survey before 12 noon Friday 5 July 2024, you can enter a prize draw to win a Digital Prize Pack valued at approximately $2791.00 containing an HP Pavilion 15.6" Laptop, STM Myth 15" 28L Laptop Backpack - Granite Black, Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Adaptive Noise Cancelling Wireless Over-Ear Headphones - Blue Denim and Logitech G604 Lightspeed Gaming Mouse by clicking on a separate link to the prize draw form.

NB You can only complete the survey and enter the draw once.

To start the survey, please click on the link below.
Learner Wellbeing Survey One 2024

Wānanga mahi (day sessions)

Far North:
Wellsford - 17 July
New Lynn - 12 August
Kaikohe - 11 September

North:
Kirikiriroa | Hamilton - 12 July
Whakatane - 7 August
Huntly - 9 September

Central:
Upper Hutt - 10 July
Wellington - 8 August
Porirua - 12 september

South:
Dunedin - 9 July
Oamaru - 15 August
Central Otago - 10 September

Note: Tangihanga will always take precedence for a marae; so please make sure you keep your contact information with us up-to-date just in case we need to change marae at short notice.