Resources for Maori Education Counselling

Kia ora ano,

Since the inception of the Te Whiuwhiu o te Hau programme in 1991, there has been an increase in resources developed for Maori counselling, this is fantastic. Therefore, it would be great to continue the efforts of creating/re-developing/building-on ideas for Maori counselling resources. We invite you to send in ideas for articles, waiata, videos (youtube), models, chapters in books, photographs, poems, conferences, art and anything else that would be useful information to share. Taima

Background:

At the beginning of developing the Te Whiuwhiu o te Hau programme in 1991, information was scarce, but with creativity and support the development team were able to come up with a variety of sources to teach cultural and counselling content for the programme. The late Reverend Werewere Maaka taught us how to integrate traditional Maori concepts and make these relevant to counselling practice for example: Te Whiuwhiu o te Hau and the journey of Tawhaki (Tane to others). The late Whaea Petiwaea taught us Tuakiri o te Tangata and how this model is useful for working with emotions. These kaumatua supported us to create Maori centered material for the course. For myself, I was inspired to create the Cycle of Rongo. Also, we were endorsed to draw from our own counselling experiences. Both myself and Kimi created the concepts of FAR,WAR,COS and JIDs etc. We were lucky to be able to use Mason Durie's Whare Tapa Wha and Rose Pere's Te Wheke Model - now timeless resources. There are many similar stories but you get the gist, with support we are all able to create resources that are useful learning tools. Look forward to your ideas, Taima

Te Whiuwhiu o te Hau Alumni

Kia ora

the idea for a blog came about when I found out that the Auckland Te Whiuwhiu o te Hau Maori Counselling Programme was closing down in Dec 2008. The purpose behind setting up this blog was to provide a forum for alumni (graduates) of the Te Whiuwhiu o te Hau programmes both in the Waikato and Auckland region to keep connected with their friends and colleagues. I have been privvy to hear many success stories and ideas created for a bi-cultural or kaupapa Maori based counselling services. There are many experiences and strategies that may be useful for others - research, bi-cultural management, traditional counselling models, strategies for writing skills to name a few. This site may be a useful forum for indigenous counsellors and social workers - you are welcome to join in and share your stories.

Myself and Kimi welcome your stories to this site. Naumai Haere mai. Welcome.