The Te Ao Māori programme is key to building understanding of Māori culture among Meridian staff, giving us the skills and knowledge to be more effective in our relationships with Māori.

The programme presents staff with an opportunity to gain skills and knowledge in tikanga. It takes a practical approach to learning, with participants staying overnight on a marae and actively participating in a powhiri and learning their own mihi. They also learn waiata, an important part of operating effectively in a Māori context.

In early 2007, 15 staff from our Wellington office experienced the two-day programme, learning more about Māori culture and heritage. Held at the Takapuwahia Marae in Porirua - a place rich in Ngati Toa history – the programme gave staff a unique opportunity to learn more about the history of the area and regional Māori culture and values.

Senior Relationship Manager, Robert Batters, says the programme is playing an important role in encouraging staff to gain a better understanding of tikanga Māori.

"We are continuing to build our capability and understanding of Māori culture, so that we can be more effective in our relationships with Māori in the future."

Course participant, K-J Kells, really enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about Māori traditions.

"It was a fantastic opportunity to learn, appreciate, and practise some of the protocols that underpin good Iwi relationships. Staying overnight on the marae was pretty special too."

Further Te Ao Māori courses are planned for Wellington and Christchurch.