Work skills course for Maori women

Press, 5 July 1988, Page 4

Work skills course for Maori women

By JANE ENGLAND Maori women working within Government departments throughout the South Island yesterday began a week-long course aimed at reinforcing and reflecting their skills in the State Services. The course, which is being held at Rehua Marae, will focus on various aspects of Maori life which contribute to management and leadership. “We will be discussing how those skills can be transferred into the workplace. For Maori women

this means developing a partnership between the whanau (extended family), hapu (sub-tribe) and iwi (tribe),” said the course facilitator, Ms Manu Sinclair.

The course is being conducted by the Ihi consultancy firm which has been contracted by the State Services. Ms Sinclair said the North Island consultancy had been established by Maori women who saw a growing need for courses which developed the potential of Maori women

in the public services. “The move within Maoridom is very dynamic and this, in turn, is contributing to some dramatic changes within society,” she said. Ms Sinclair said that Maori women had previously not been fairly represented in the management level of Government departments. However, it was hoped that the courses. would help redress the imbalance and that departments would adapt to reflect changes in society.