About Us

//Welcome To

Mahi Whakaara

Mahi Whakaara means ‘Inspire to work, work to inspire’. The name was created by 6 people in 2020 who were invited to compile a proposal for a Maori trades training programme.

Based on the ‘by-Maori-for-Maori development practices, the kaupapa is focused on Maori trainees to improve their opportunities to secure long term sustainable work that a trade role offers.

The composite of people who affirmed this name affiliate to the 8 iwi of Te Tau Ihu, and Waikato-Tainui, and Tauiwi.

Mana Tauira

On our Mahi Whakaara programme our tauira is of paramount concern and focus.  That means we are driven to ensure tauira (students) develop their dreams and job aspirations in an environment that respects them, and learn from people who want to share their knowledge with them.

Mana Tangata

Our Mahi Whakaara programme aims to ensure that all people are considered equally and respectfully when we deliver our programmes and services. 

Mana Maori

Mahi Whakaara is a programme that promotes the Mana of being Maori.  

//nga kaiwhakaako me kaimahi

Our Team & Tutors

Our support staff and tutors form a cohesive unit with a diverse range of skills, knowledge, experience, and credentials, all dedicated to meeting the needs of our tauira. We strongly encourage all personnel in the Mahi Whakaara programme to wholeheartedly commit themselves to providing the best support possible for the future of our tauira.

Tarina MacDonald

Tarina MacDonald

 Programme Director
Powhiri Cooper

Powhiri Cooper

 Tutor - Te Ao Maori
Errol MacDonald

Errol MacDonald

 Tutor - Foundation Painting
Anusha Gupta

Anusha Gupta

 Pou Awhina - Student Liaison Support
Teirangi Klever

Teirangi Klever

 Pou Whakahaere – Programme Coordinator

Ongoing Pastoral Care

Staircased learning

Multiple Pathways

Practical Focussed

//kaingākau

Our Commitment

There are four main focus areas of Mahi Whakaara that make it a unique and value-added programme for our tauira. 

  • Ongoing pastoral care – whereby tauira will have our support until they no longer need us

  • Multiple Pathways – whereby our tauira will graduate Mahi Whakaara with more than one pathway option to pursue

  • Staircased learning – whereby they learn in a stair-cased fashion from one step to another before progressing onwards

  • Practical focussed -The learning content is practical oriented such as trades demand

// Toku waitohu

Our Logo

The Mahi Whakaara logo was conceptualised and designed based on recognising the key elements of what it stands for.

The urban youth Mahi Whakaara targets, the location of Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka a Maui and the eight iwi located in that region.

// Toku Tohu

Our Motif

The Maori motif on the left side of the triangle represents manaaki tangata (to support and nurture the people). This aligns with us as the parent organisation – Te Tautoko Ora Foundation, a charitable trust whose focus is on providing education, and skills learning services to people in communities who are disadvantaged.

 

Niho Taniwha Design –

Nga Iwi O Te Motu

Niho Taniwha tohu – is a design from ancient maori art practices of weaving of panel walls in tukutuku, korowai making, and raranga. It is meant to depict strength and resilience too.

The Nine triangles in the tohu design is representative of Te Waipounamu (the South Island) one of the two main islands of New Zealand and the eight iwi of Te Tau Ihu that reside in that specific region at the top of the south island.

The eight iwi are one of the many stakeholders of the Mahi Whakaara programme and therefore are important to include in our design.

 

// toku TAI

Our Colours

The colours in our logo represent significant meaning and purpose for our learning environment and for our students. 

We work hard to prepare every student for their life working in a trade...

Our Mahi Whakaara programme offers a good compromise between what is necessary to learn about a trade from the foundation level to what is required to enter into an apprenticeship 

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