Course targets practitioners working with Whanau

Key elements of positive whānau development, converting a crisis to positive planning, and preparing intervention strategies were among topics covered at the Whānau Whanake Development Course held at the Albany campus last month.

More than 90 participants from a diverse range of Māori and health-oriented organisations attended the two-day short course, led by Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Māori and Pasifika) Professor Sir Mason Durie.

The course, designed to benefit practitioners working with whānau, included formal presentations, workshop discussions, task-oriented groups and case study narratives.

Māori staff and selected Māori alumni also contributed to the course by facilitating workshops and discussions, and collating workshop findings that would allow groups to present or share these findings with other course participants.

Whānau Whanake Development was delivered under the umbrella of the Centre for Professional and Continuing Education. Coordinator Adrian Christie says the course was well received and a second is being considered.