Waiariki journalism becomes a reality

Tu Tangata, Issue 21, 1 December 1984, Page 50

Waiariki journalism becomes a reality

Waiariki Community College in Rotorua is planning a 20-week, fulltime, journalism course mainly for Maori and Pacific Island students next year. The course, for 15 trainees, has the backing of the Department of Maori Affairs and the New Zealand Journalists Training Board. And, if it wins the approval of the Department of Education, the course will start in March. Since the early 19705, students aiming for a career in journalism have had the choice of three courses: Auckland Technical Institute, Wellington Polytechnic and the University of Canterbury. ATI takes 24 students each February and another 24 in July. They are five month courses. This year those three courses had a total of 14 Maori and Pacific Island students twice the previous record of seven in 1981. But that number still does little to overcome the critical shortage of non-

pakeha journalists throughout New Zealand. And support for the Waiariki course has grown with the success of the Tu Tangata short courses which have demonstrated how Maori and Pacific Island students thrive on a programme embracing their values. Meanwhile the system of introductory journalism courses will carry on so that 100 Maori and Pacific Island students can get a taste of journalism next year and so that 24 of the keenest can go a step further on a Tu Tangata booster course. Overall there’ll be six, week-long introductory courses and two booster courses lasting a fortnight. Journalism courses If you’d like details of any of these courses, please fill in this form and return it to: Philip Whaanga, Tu Tangata Magazine Dept of Maori Affairs Private Bag, Wellington

Name Tribal affiliations Address Phone number Date of birth Academic background Work experience Rotorua □ I would like details of: Wellington □ 1) the week-long, introductory courses in Auckland □ Christchurch □ 2) the two-week booster courses sponsored by Tu Tangata in Rotorua 3) the proposed 20-week course at Waiariki Community College in Rotorua n