"Everyone should have to learn both Māori and English. It would be better and everyone would be able to say my name right and I wouldn't have to be embarrassed or angry"
(Student in Kura Kaupapa, Māori)
What we see within He Pikorua
We are respectful of all people’s cultural identity and beliefs.
We establish responsive and collaborative partnerships with Māori, We acknowledge language, identity and culture as a source of strength.
We use collaborative approaches that are appropriate to the cultural context of the whānau, to guide conversation and share decision-making.
We select approaches to assessment, intervention and evaluation that are culturally responsive and informed by evidence.
We explore and select supports with the local learning community based on their unique needs.
We use the ‘braided rivers’ bicultural evaluation perspective for service and programme efficacy. This perspective supports the collaborative integration of knowledge when knowledge systems mix and mingle to “create new knowledge that can be used to advance understanding in two worlds”
(A Better Start National Science Challenge, 2015, p. 16).
Examples of this principle in practice
Practitioners use the ‘Journey to Tino Rangatiratanga’ tool in collaborative partnership with a kaitakawaenga and other members of the team. This tool is currently being trialed and supports practitioners to talk with whānau about culturally affirming goals for their mokopuna.
Practitioners use Tātaiako and Tapasā Cultural Competencies in self-reflection, and seek support from appropriate colleagues (such as Kaumātua) to explore cultural expectations and potential biases.
Practitioners seek advice and knowledge to strengthen their skills for working with cultural communities. Practitioners go to colleagues from the Tautai RTLB Pacific network to strengthen their skills for working with Pacific whānau. They consult with colleagues from Ngā Pouwhirinakitanga to build their confidence when working with Māori mokopuna and whānau.
Practitioners use culturally affirming approaches such as Talanoa and Teu le va to guide and empower the voice of mokopuna.