Ako Nui - Learn a lot

What?

The use of te reo is virtually non existent in our school and our learners. When using basic te reo with learners they have no idea what you are talking about. This is now an area the school wants to develop and E.T shared this presentation with us explaining how our school, values and beliefs align with Maori customs and beliefs.

So what?

New Zealand is a bi-cultural nation and that is something our students need to understand. It is part of our history, culture and what makes us New Zealanders. We also need to demonstrate commitment to tangata whenuatanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership in Aotearoa New Zealand as teachers in New Zealand. Some of our students have negative stereotypes towards Maori Culture and this is something that needs addressing.

Now what?
I need to incorporate more Maori into my lessons. This can be done easily. Some ideas are as follows:

• Greetings - discuss and use in the morning when taking the roll
• Games - use different games to break up longer lessons, when we have any free time
• Tahi - tekau hand game
• Tahi - whetu hand game
• Maori Simon Says - te tiro, whakarongo etc
• Take the students through the presentation shared by ET
• Pronunciation - a ha ka ma - look on Spotify

This is evidence against:

Te Tiriti o Waitangi Partnership

Demonstrate commitment to tangata whenuatanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership in Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Understand and recognise the unique status of tangata whenua in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

• Understand and acknowledge the histories, heritages, languages and cultures of partners to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 

• Practise and develop the use of te reo and tikanga Māori.