Te Ora Hou is committed to supporting the development of high quality youth work, whanau support and community development within Maori communities.

Our kaimahi are contantly involved in both personal and professional development opportunities. Te Ora Hou have developed a number of recognised training programmes and qualifications in partnership with Praxis and other training providers.

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Tipu Ake : Maori Youth Worker Training

Tipu Ake is a programme designed specifically to equip youth workers to understand and work in Maori communities.

Tipu Ake means to ‘grow and mature’. This is a unique one year course based on kaupapa Maori models that will provide you with skills to work in Maori communities effectively in both metropolitan and provincial contexts.

E tipu e rea mo nga ra o to ao
Grow up oh tender plant in the days of your life

O ringaringa ki nga rakau o te pakeha
Grasp hold of the tools of the education of this modern world

Hei oranga mo to tinana
To sustain you through this life

To ngakau ki nga taonga a o tipuna Maori
Grasping hold of the treasures of your ancestors

Hei tikitiki mo to mahunga
As an adornment /plume for your head

To wairua ki te Atua
Be spiritually devoted to Almighty God

Na na nei nga mea katoa
The creator and giver of all things

Na Ta Apirana Ngata
Translation George Ehau

Who is it for?

A person:

• Who desires to have a understanding of Maori communities and how to effectively apply Youthwork skills in that context. You do not need to Maori to participate.
• Who is already or wanting to work with young people in their church or community in a volunteer or paid position.
• Who is able to travel in order to build their knowledge and skills for working with young people.

The minimum age for entry into the Certificate programme is 18 on the day that the course begins. There is no upper age limit. Application for a special exemption from the age restriction should be addressed to the Praxis national office.

You need to be active in your Christian faith.

We require all applicants to give permission to have their police record checked. A criminal record does not automatically mean that your application will be turned down.

On the application form, you will also be asked to supply us with the contact details of a person from your proposed agency, and one other reference person, with whom we can discuss your suitability for working with youth, and your ability to handle the academic requirements for the course.

Unless you have a medical, or other special exemption, you will need your drivers licence (at least your learners) before you start the course.

What would I learn?

By successfully completing this course, you can expect to have learnt:

• The skills and knowledge required to effectively work within the context of Maori communities.
• To operate safely and ethically as a youthworker in your community.
• To serve, build relationships and share your faith with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
• To contribute to the learning and development of youth, and respond appropriately to a young person in crisis.
• To creatively facilitate groups and develop others in their faith
• To develop structures for support and self care in Christian ministry.
  

You can expect to also have:

• Explored your own spiritual journey, your giftings and motivations.
• Developed networks in your community, assessed and developed responses to the needs of young people within it.
• Improved you knowledge of the Bible and the Christian tradition that you are part of
• Improved your awareness of Marae protocol, Maori language, history of Maori spirituality and faith and considered the implications of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to your own practice.
• Developed supportive mentoring relationships with some young people in your identified community.

The Tipu Ake Certificate course operates as a partnership between Te Ora Hou, Praxis, Whitireia Community Polytechnic and an agency (church or community organisation) which provides supervised practical experience. We believe that learning is most effective when it takes place along side the experience of developing your own project with youth in conjunction with your church or a community organisation. We encourage each student to continue with their project after the course finishes.

How do I access it?

Tipu Ake Year One is a full time (120 credit) course. Classes are not held during the school holidays -but you are expected to help with holiday programmes and camps in your community)

Programme

You will have 3 block courses of 12 days each and two of 6 days to attend over the year. You will also meet with a tutor in between block courses. Most of your lectures will be offered through the block courses, and you will be given assignment work to take home after each one. Outside of block courses, you are expected to work with your agency for at least 3 days per week.

Many of your block courses will be with other Praxis students, and at least one will be just for Tipu Ake students. Where block courses are held as noho marae, your foor and accommodation are covered in your fees.

We can help you find accommodation during the non/marae block courses if you need it (let us know in plenty of time). Your travel to all block courses and accommodation during the non-marae based blocks is at your own cost. Many agencies support with travel costs and you should negotiate this before you begin the course.

You will also have an option to take part in an indigenous Pasifika Christian youth workers gathering in Fiji or Samoa in September in September. The costs for this are not covered in your fees, and cannot be paid from a Student Loan.

We strongly recommend that all 2007 Tipu Ake students have regular access to a computer with email or internet.

What does it cost?

2009 fees: approx. $2,900 (includes $250 deposit)

What do my fees cover?

• They do cover course costs, including noho marae and class retreats.
• They cover course workbooks (which will be given out during the year). There are no textbooks which must be brought separately. Books which are required for courses are available from the library, if you want your own copy of any of the course books (or if you loose a library book), this is an extra cost.
• They do not cover other stationery
• They do not cover travel to workshops or block courses. Unless advertised otherwise (as noho marae), they do not cover accommodation at block courses.
• They include NZQA ‘hook on’ and Record of Learning fees.
• They do not cover the cost of any non-timetabled or extra study options that you might be offered.
• They do not cover travel costs or accommodation for any overseas travel options, which may be offered during the year.
• They do not cover the cost of papers offered through other institutions, which can be used for credit towards the year TWO requirements.
  

How do I apply?

Enrolments close soon for the 2009 intake.

For more information contact:
Danette Abraham
Email: dabraham[at]teorahou.org.nz
Ph: 027 292 1863