“It Is a Superpower!” Being Māori Enhances Employability

Date
2022-06-06
Authors
Lucas, P
Rae, S
Hogg, R
Anderson, N
Cairncross, C
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Work-Integrated Learning New Zealand (WILNZ)
Abstract

Understanding employability for Māori, the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), is an under researched area. The dominant Western culture, structures and practices in university and industries within NZ have obscured Māori presence and limited Māori student’s expression of their own cultural identity. The current employment environment in NZ is starting to appreciate and recognize the contribution of Māori values and principles in the workplace. The demand for Maori employees competent in tikanga (Māori protocols) and Te Reo (Māori language, one of three official languages of NZ) is on the rise. We highlight the need to explore ways to change Higher Education and work-integrated learning (WIL) to better enable and encourage students to explore their cultural identity and add value into the workplace by bringing their ‘whole selves’ and their ‘superpower’. This study adopted a case study methodology to examine employability from a Māori perspective.

Description
Keywords
Indigenous; Maori; Employability; Work-integrated learning; Cultural identity; Case study methodology
Source
International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning, 23(2), 309-322
DOI
Rights statement
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