Ka Awatea: Tribe to hear youth success stories

Angus MacFarlane

The findings of a two-year study into successful Maori youth in Rotorua are ready for release.

Ka Awatea: A tribal-based study of high-achieving rangatahi, involved the interviewing and surveying of Year 13 students in schools in the region, their whanau, teachers, principals and past students who are succeeding in their chosen careers.

The project is supported by Nga Pae o te Maramatanga Centre of Research Excellence in conjunction with the University of Canterbury.

Leading researcher Dr Angus Macfarlane (Te Arawa) said the study was needed to "de-story" the belief that Maori were low achievers in school.

"We thought it was time to destroy and get rid of the old story that Maori are failing. We have those statistics year after year, decade after decade and it seems to linger on and may have contributed to the perpetuating of it," Dr Macfarlane said.

"[This study] highlights high achieving and successful Maori students who may be undervalued, their story has never been told and what surprised us is the level of enthusiasm that these young people have for learning and for life.

"It is quite a replenishing type of story, sharing their success and tribulations as well."

Four researchers, all of Te Arawa descent, were involved in the study which was based in Rotorua.

They jumped at the opportunity to work at home.

"This is by Te Arawa, in Te Arawa, with Te Arawa, for Te Arawa," Dr Macfarlane said.

The manuscript of the study will be launched tomorrow at the Holiday Inn. More than 100 people are expected to attend including study participants, principals and key stakeholders.