Te Tiriti o te Waitangi Partnership

My challenge was to find the ways that I authentically connect with Maori culture and how this could be of benefit to my students (who were largely Pasifika). One of the ways I use Maori language and culture is through stories. For example, I enjoy learning the history of places through their name. Whether this is as simple as unpacking what whau is in the name maungawhau, or learning the tale of Hape and karangahape and how the road named after this story has significance to our city. Another authentic way I have used te reo is through maths, where using Maori numbers allows students to solidify their understanding of place value because they are more explicit than the anglo-french counterparts we use in English. (Rua-tekau vs twenty, etc).

One other way that I can wholeheartedly engage with Maori culture is through history. As a life-long learner and someone who views social studies as a way to develop empathy and understanding, it is a perfect avenue to explore the Maori experience in post-colonial Aotearoa as an inquiry into justice and fairness.

To me, all of these actions have demonstrated to my students and the students of our learning hub that Maori culture has significance and value.