Plan for tommorrow

Tu Tangata, Issue 17, 1 April 1984, Page 27

Plan for tommorrow

by MOANA DANSEY

What is there for our young maori achievers? What can be done for our youth with ability? The formal education system in secondary schools is coping as best it can under the present rigid channels of school certificate and university entrance. Is this enough for our young people. Tu Tangata has given us the means to stand tall, we now must develop the need to move forward. The secondary schools catering for maori students are doing a fine job in giving many students a taste of achievement while at school. But too many students on leaving this sheltered environment know only too well the agonies of reality. Too often the prospect of the future leads to destructive frustration for many of our young people with good potential. Could the answer to our young Maori achievers lie with goal setting techniques and personal motivation? What is goal setting? It is simply planning the direction of your life, your accomplishments you wish to make and the ways to achieve this aim. In this modern world of rapid advancement effective planning is the key to success in life. James Fox of Taupo and the Rev. Tamati Tuhiwai of Porangahau believe in this concept of planning through the process of goal setting. Both men have decided to make a positive contribution to help Maori achievers plan an effec-

tive life for the future. They will be holding a five day live-in Marae seminar at Taupo from May 14th to May 18th for Maori youth who wish to develop achievements in art, sport or business. Both tutors responsible for the seminar have had extensive experience in dealing with Maori youth and the problems of success. Rev. Tamiti Tuhiwai has run personality development courses through the Waiariki Community College for the Department of Labour and seminars for Tu Tangata in community leadership. James Fox has had long experience ifi teaching Maori children with special difficulties. He is actively engaged in the development of motivation techniques for goal orientation. Mr Fox currently presented a paper on goal orientation for gifted achievers at the Second New Zealand National Conference for Exceptional Persons, held at the University of Auckland. Each tutor will plan opportunities for advancement for each participant at the seminar. Each one attending will gain an insight to achievement. Through Maori strengths, by using the techniques of goal setting, they plan to give young Maoris an awareness for success in life. If we as Maoris are to stand tall and move ahead, we need the strength within us to do so. This seminar could be a means to help our young people develop a better life tomorrow.