The partnership established in the Treaty of Waitangi exemplifies a dedication to the people and the unity of Aotearoa New Zealand. As an educator, I deeply comprehend and appropriately acknowledge the distinctive status of tangata whenua in Aotearoa, New Zealand. New Zealand is deeply rooted in Māori culture, and it is essential to understand and acknowledge that the histories, heritages, languages, and cultures of the Treaty partners hold profound significance. Teachers can express their commitment to honoring Māori culture by enriching their understanding of Tikanga Māori, seamlessly integrating Te Reo Māori into their salutations, guidance, and commendations, and actively refining their pronunciation of Te Reo Māori words and phrases. The inclusion of Karakia, which encompasses traditional Māori prayers and incantations, is pivotal in seamlessly infusing Te Reo Māori, the Māori language, into the classroom atmosphere.

                                                                                            Evidence 1

                                                                                      Evidence 2

Teachers can express their dedication to honoring Māori culture by deepening their understanding of Tikanga Māori, incorporating Te Reo Māori into their greetings, instructions, and praise, and actively working on improving their pronunciation of Te Reo Māori words and phrases. Incorporating Karakia, which are traditional Māori prayers or incantations, is essential for integrating Te Reo Māori, the Māori language, into the classroom environment. Having learned about the significance of Karakia through my studies, I made it a practice to begin my group lessons with a powerful Karakia, honoring the tradition and setting a respectful and focused tone for the learning session. In the base class where I teach, I always have the privilege of having Māori students present. It's a source of pride for me to serve as a role model for these students and promote the use of the Māori language and culture among all the students in my classroom.

Teachers can express their dedication to honouring Māori culture by deepening their understanding of Tikanga Māori, incorporating Te Reo Māori into their greetings, instructions, and praise, and actively working on improving their pronunciation of Te Reo Māori words and phrases. Having learned about the significance of Karakia through my studies, I made it a practice to begin my group lessons with a powerful Karakia. I consistently use the word "Ka pai" to commend and motivate my students, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. There are a few Māori students in my classroom; I think I made them proud of their language and culture.

At the commencement of the academic year, I lacked confidence in incorporating Te Reo and Tikanga Māori into my teaching. However, dedicated learning and practice significantly improved my confidence and pronunciation. By conscientiously planning and integrating Te Reo and Tikanga Māori into my lessons, I achieved the standards of Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership and Design for Learning. Additionally, I have fostered a Learning-Focused culture by creating an environment where learners can confidently embrace their languages and cultures. My next goal is to improve my knowledge of Tikanga Māori while continuing to incorporate Te Re and Tikanga Māori into my lessons.