A group of Māori and Indigenous Aboriginal academic leaders from across New Zealand and Australia have come together at the University of Waikato to signal a joint and ongoing commitment to uplifting Indigenous knowledge and the advancement of Indigenous communities in higher education.
Held at The Pā on Tuesday, the Indigenous Leaders Symposium was the first in-person meeting between Te Kāhui Amokura and the Universities Australia Indigenous committees.
It also coincided with the 20th anniversary of Te Kāhui Amokura.
University of Waikato Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori and Chair of Te Kāhui Amokura, Dr Sarah-Jane Tiakiwai, says the symposium provided a unique opportunity for Indigenous leaders from both nations to share experiences, knowledge and initiatives, and forge stronger partnerships and collaborations between the two committees.
A committee like this is crucial because it ensures we have a collective voice across the sector, amplifying the impact of the messages and initiatives we want to see for Māori and Indigenous communities.
Chair of the Universities Australia Indigenous Committee, Professor Michelle Trudgett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous at Western Sydney University says the symposium marks the beginning of a strong relationship between Māori and Indigenous leaders in higher education as we commence a formal relationship to advance the significant contributions our peoples make to the sector.
“I am incredibly grateful to the University of Waikato and Te Kāhui Amokura for hosting us,” Professor Trudgett says.
Te Kāhui Amokura, established in 2004 under Universities New Zealand – Te Pōkai Tara, has a Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori, Assistant Vice-Chancellor Māori or Pro-Vice Chancellor Māori representative from each of New Zealand’s eight universities. The committee’s mission is to promote and advance the collective interests of New Zealand’s universities to improve outcomes for Māori students, staff and scholarship.
