Navigating Maori futures subject of new book

A book about Māori futures will be launched today at Te Aute College, a school synonymous with preparing young Maori to be leaders within their communities and nationally.

The author, Professor Sir Mason Durie of Massey University, is an old boy of the famous school in Pukehou, central Hawkes Bay. Sir Mason says Te Aute plays a pivotal role in Mäori development and has done for more than 150 years.

“The book is about Māori futures and Te Aute is a school that produces people who move Maori into new eras and help enable future developments. I attended Te Aute and my career was shaped through the education and experiences I received there,” he says.

Nga Tini Whetu: Navigating Māori Futures combines 25 written and presented papers from Sir Mason’s 2004-10 works. It explores the complexities of balancing Māori perspective with western knowledge, with a strong emphasis on achieving the best outcomes for Māori people. Sir Mason says it shows that Māori potential is high.

“In the last 25 years Maori have built strong platforms in education, resources and people. Iwi organisations are now resourced and able to invest in a range of opportunities enabling huge opportunity for the future of Maori.”

It is the fifth book written by Sir Mason, Massey's Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Māori and Pasifika), since he joined the University in 1988, and he plans more. “I am always working on papers. Currently my focus is on researching outcome measurements, especially whanau development and educational achievement.”