Key UC Contact
What We Did
In 2019 University of Canterbury Te Whare Wānaga o Waitaha and Lincoln University Te Whare Wanaka o Aoraki embarked on a joint partnership to bring Te Mātāpuna Mātātahi | Children’s University (TMMCU) to the tamariki of Canterbury. TMMCU connects tamariki and their whānau to the learning that happens outside of school in their local community. In this way, tamariki experience a range of learning that can happen anywhere at any time, helping them to develop a lifelong love of learning.
The 2019 pilot programme started with 192 tamariki from 7 schools and 1 rūnanga. In 2020 the programme expanded to 18 schools and 1 rūnanga with 557 tamariki participating and in 2021, our programme supports 29 schools, 2 rūnaka, and 936 participating students. The number of Learning Destinations increased from 86 in 2019 to 132 by 2021. In 2020 over 65 % of our tamariki graduated, while 75% of tamariki are expected to graduate at the James Hay Theatre in 2021.
Who Was Involved
- Lincoln University Te Whare Wanaka o Aoraki
- University of Canterbury Te Whare Wananga o Waitaha
- Christchurch City Council, Selwyn District Council, Hurunui District Council, Waimakariri District Council
- Learning Destinations, Schools
- Rūnanga
- Tamariki and their whānau
Why It Matters
TMMCU is dedicated to helping children reach their full potential and supports those who do not normally excel in the classroom environment. The New Zealand government reconfirmed their commitment to reducing child poverty in its 2020 Wellbeing Budget. The government recognises that quality education is crucial for all New Zealanders and that there is an opportunity to better serve tamariki and their whānau, particularly those who live in poverty and from diverse backgrounds.
TMMCU has a strong focus on equity and seeks to work with rūnanga and engage schools that are low decile, geographically isolated and/or have high numbers of Māori and Pasifica students. The programme opens doors for tamariki and their whānau, showing them the future in Canterbury and New Zealand is bright and full of opportunities.
