"This programme is above everything else I’ve ever done"

When Mark Sillis, Regional Training Coordinator for Canterbury/South Canterbury, received an offer to attend a three-day cultural competency programme run by Kia Tika te Ara he was keen to see what was on offer, but a little unsure as to what value it could add to his professional and personal life. Mark says what he learned over those three days has dominated his thinking ever since, and he’s not alone.

Nestled 20 minutes north of Timaru is Arowhenua Marae, which hosted 21 of our people this November when they took part in Ki te Whai Ao, “The Glimmer of Dawn”. The intensive programme is designed to teach what we weren’t taught at school with the aim of creating better experiences for the Māori communities we serve. Māori worldview, impacts of our history, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and basic pronunciation are just a few of the topics covered.

Our people praised the programme’s tutors for creating a positive and safe learning environment that was challenging enough to make you think but also intertwined with their aspirational outlook for the future.

“This programme is above everything else I’ve ever done” commented Mid-South Canterbury’s Group Manager Paul Manson. Paul says that he learned more in this three-day programme than he has in any other programme he’s completed over his career with Fire and Emergency. 

“The learning has been life-changing. I have always found it hard to pronounce te reo Māori correctly and have done many courses, however this course taught me to understand and pronounce words in a practical way and, importantly for me, I know it is okay to still say words in English if I am struggling with the pronunciation."

The programme was spearheaded by Senior Advisor Community Readiness & Recovery, Donna Lindsay with the assistance of Group Manager Stephen Butler who has been on her own te reo Māori journey in a bid to learn more about our country’s history.

Chief Executive Rhys Jones congratulated each participant of the programme for stepping out of their comfort zone to be a beginner learner. Rhys also acknowledged the time and commitment the participants chose to give to this important kaupapa; “Thank you for leading the way”.

On their final day, participants went around the room speaking about their experience of the programme; “It’s all we all talk about”. “I’m 50 and this is the first time I’ve been on a marae”. “We are all talking about where to next and I can imagine all of us will be doing some type of language course in the next six months”.

 National Manager Kaupapa Māori, Piki Thomas was in attendance and said how heart-warming it was to hear the positive comments from everyone.

Piki mentioned how important their education is for better understanding our nation’s history; “We can’t change the past, but through understanding our history we can influence the future”.