Quality assurance in tertiary education from a Maori (Indigenous) Perspective.

Abstract

The Concise Oxford Dictionary (1976, p.909) defines the word quality to mean 'possessing a high degree of excellence, concerned with maintenance of quality (quality control)'. What is not made explicit in this definition is the fact that the idea of quality is located and determined within a western European cultural tradition. The aim of this paper is to explore what Maori people (the indigenous people of New Zealand) require by way of quality in higher education. The cultural historical context of the education of Maori will be examined. This paper will then explain the two-stage approach adopted by Maori. First, the efforts towards the inclusion of Maori knowledge in mainstream education, and second, the development of an alternative higher education system for Maori. Finally, this paper will describe the requirements of New Zealand law relating to accreditation and quality assurance, its shortfalls when applied to wananga, and introduce the steps that wananga are taking towards an autonomous system.