Matariki: Improving Maori success | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

This year's Matariki celebrations will begin with a book launch in Wellington aimed at improving Maori success.

Sir Mason Durie's new book Nga Tini Whetu: Navigating Maori Futures will be launched at Te Papa on June 23.

Sir Mason will be joined onstage by prominent Maori politicians and academics as they discuss their vision for Maori development for the next few years.

Nga Tini Whetu: Navigating Maori Futures discusses Maori moving towards a future involving new technologies, alliances, economies and levels of achievement and being equipped to respond to the changes in a way that enables Maori to prosper and live in a changing world.

The book is a thought-provoking and accessible exploration of a life where Maori create social, economic and political futures that work with national and international changes.

Its constructive approach takes hold of future indicators to map out a positive and productive world with Maori values and perspectives at its centre.

The book also builds on and extends Sir Mason's thinking in his previous book published in 2003 called Nga Kahui Pou: Launching Maori Futures and records his thoughts on how Maori might best position themselves to respond to a rapidly changing world.

Sir Mason Durie is of Rangitane, Ngati Kauwhata, Ngati Raukawa descent and is Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Maori and Pasifika) and Professor of Maori Research and Development at Massey University.

For 40 years he has been at the forefront of the changing approach to Maori health and has been a leader in developments in mental health. In 2010 he was knighted for services to Maori and public health.

He has served the boards of Te Papa and the Foundation for Research Science and Technology and has been a Commissioner for the New Zealand Families Commission.