The purpose of Mātauraka Mahaanui is to guide education renewal in greater Christchurch and represent collective ‘mana whenua’ Papatipu Rūnanga and Māori interests. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, as the ‘Treaty partner,’ has mandated this group to act on their behalf in the greater Christchurch area.

Renewal is designed to develop greater Christchurch as a leading education community positioned to set new standards of excellence in teaching, learning and research. The extent of damage and population movement following the earthquakes along with the required investment to revitalise the network offers an opportunity for innovation which will, extend the options available for learners and lift achievement.

To support this, three advisory bodies are being established to engage local leaders and experts to drive key aspects of the renewal work and ensure strong regional, Māori and Pasifika influence. Mātauraka Mahaanui brings together representatives from education, rūnanga and community organisations, all of whom have a high level of expertise and understanding of the needs of priority learners and different communities in greater Christchurch.

The group’s initial membership is:

• Lynne Harata Te Aika, Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga & Educationalist
• Elizabeth Brown, Te Taumutu Rūnanga & Educationalist
• Hector Matthews, Executive Director, Māori &Pacific Health at the  CDHB
• Tui Summers, NZ College of Early Childhood
• Catherine Stuart, Māori Community Representative
• Eruera Tarena, Māori Community Representative
• Te Maire Tau, Maata Waka Representative
• Raewin Tipene-Clarke, He Kākano Leadership programme.

Terms of reference

The Board will provide expert advice to the Minister of Education, the Secretary for Education and the Ministry of Education on the renewal programme.

In doing this, it will:

• Represent Māori communities’ interests and ensure a strong local influence throughout the renewal process
• Bring Māori perspectives on early childhood services, Kōhanga Reo, Kura Kaupapa Māori  and schools, tertiary providers, the business sector and the wider community.
• Utilise quantitative and qualitative evidence including student and whānau voice to inform advice provided.
• Identify gaps in the current system and opportunities for innovation and intervention
• Encourage the development of collaboration and partnerships across the education sector to promote achievement for all learners
• Work with the Greater Christchurch Education Advisory Board and the Pasifika Advisory Board to represent and promote the identities, languages and cultures of Māori and Pasifika learners and their communities
• Complement the work of a dedicated Ministry taskforce which is being established to drive the renewal programme
• Receive information and advise on the Ministry’s future programmes of work

Where appropriate, the Board may discuss individual schools and/or clusters, but recommendations will focus on the broader challenges in greater Christchurch. It is not the role of the Board to provide advice on decisions about individual schools in the network.