The recent Chilean delegation with Massey staff in the newly-refurbished Refectory Building.
In Chile, there are longstanding grievances between the indigenous Mapuche people, Chilean society and the State. The recently-elected Regional Government of the Biobío region of Chile is currently trying to establish mechanisms to help resolve the conflict, which includes encouraging the participation and inclusion of the Mapuche people in higher education.
A Chilean delegation, led by Governor Rodrigo Díaz Worner, visited the Manawatū campus recently, alongside about 30 representatives and leaders of Mapuche, government and embassy representatives, Vice-Chancellors and Professors from Chilean universities, and business representatives.
Professor Jonathan Procter, Muaūpoko, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Apa, says the visit provided an opportunity to link to other indigenous peoples to share the university’s successes and provide some learnings to support the people of Biobío with their intercultural dialogues programme.
“We were very proud to host the delegation from the Biobío region and Mapuche people. They chose to visit Massey to hear our experiences developing inclusion in higher education, our work to be Te Tiriti led, and the initiatives we have to support ākonga Māori to succeed. We also shared our experiences about how we work with the indigenous communities, which included the collaborative research we conduct with iwi."
The delegation attended a workshop with presentations from all areas of the university. These included Senior Advisor Te Tiriti Education Rangimarie Mahuika, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, discussing Being a Te Tiriti Led organisation, Distinguished Professor Graham Hingangaroa Smith, Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Kāti Māmoe, on Mātuaranga Māori and Pou Akonga Māori Student Success Dame Farah Palmer, Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato who presented on Models for Māori success at Massey: Ākonga Māori Success Plan.
The delegation was welcomed onto the Te Hotu Manawa o Rangitāne o Manawatū marae, where they learnt about the history of the Rangitāne iwi, their partnership with the local council and the work they do to benefit the whole community.
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