Maranga Mai

The guiding purpose of Maranga mai o ngā whakangungu ā rohe is to enable Māori delegates to use their perspective and experience to advocate for Te Tiriti o Waitangi in their workplaces.

The course began in 2014 in response to the need to provide training about the PSA’s Rūnanga structure.

“When we began the Maranga Mai journey we recognised we needed a dedicated resource to develop the skills and knowledge of our delegates and to give them a space to contextualise their culture into their workplace,” says former National Organiser Māori Tauia MacDonald.

“It was a humbling and exciting experience.”  

NGĀ KAUPAPA

Maranga Mai Workshop

Maranga Mai has developed since then in partnership with Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina and was approved for Employment Relations Education Leave (EREL) in 2016.

A key foundation of the course is the Rūnanga strategy Ngā Kaupapa - the values that underpin our goal of improving the working lives of Māori across the union.

Delegates also learn about the framework of Te Tiriti in the modern Public Service and other sectors; and engagement of Māori and non-Māori.

INSPIRATIONAL

Training is usually held within the rohe of members and is facilitated by Māori staff with support from the PSA Kaumatua and Kuia.

Te Kaiwahakarite Māori Marcia Puru says they work to make the course contemporary, relevant and influential. An example of this is the use of the Mana Wahine Claim as a campaigning and organising tool.

Marcia says she is always inspired by the delegates attending Maranga Mai.

“It is their passion for kaupapa Māori and their wairua and mana to be Māori no matter where they work and what they do. It is amazing to have the kōrero and share our experiences and tools so we can strengthen our people and our Rūnanga.”

Maranga Mai has contributed to significant growth for our union – with about 2,000 more Māori members coming on board the waka in the last five years. We encourage our Māori members to take the next step and become rūnanga delegates.

Our Bicultural Unionism course is being redesigned to empower non-Māori delegates to support the Rūnanga structure.

WHAT DELEGATES SAY ABOUT MARANGA MAI

“Tino Miharo! The two days were awesome, empowering and uplifting. I learnt so much and feel excited about my journey ahead as a rūnanga delegate.”

“Ngā mihi ki a koe mo tō kaha ki te whakapakari tonu o mātou nei mātauranga, pūkenga, wawata hoki.”

“I plan on implementing ideas and being proactive with my approach to engaging Māori to stand and be heard. Mauri Ora.”

Maranga Mai Tamaki Makaurau