Embedded Files
Matatini - Whakakōrero and Whakahua PLD
A truly energising and meaningful experience, led by Te Ahunui (Donovan) Farnham and Oriini Kaipara, alongside the our Kāhui Ako Across School Leaders (ASLs).
The kaupapa was rich, relevant, and deeply engaging—creating space for connection, kōrero, and reflection. We were thrilled with the turnout and the strong sense of wairua and purpose that filled the room.
During our recent PLD, kaiako explored Te Whakakōrero i te Tangata – a kaupapa focused on strengthening oral language in te reo Māori through fun, purposeful games. Guided by four key mātāpono, the session introduced activities like Taku Pīkau, Tīpare, Whiua te Pātai, and Taku Kete, all designed to encourage ākonga to speak confidently, think critically, and use authentic reo in a supportive environment.
Ngā mihi nui to everyone who attended and contributed to such a vibrant and valuable day of learning.
Growing Great Learning in Pāngarau (Mathematics) at Waitematā
Recently kaiako took part in a professional development session led by our across school leaders, focused on the new direction of the (pāngarau) curriculum.
This was a chance for teachers from different kura (schools) to come together, share ideas, and talk about how they are putting the new curriculum into practise.
These rich conversations help strengthen our learning community, making sure we’re supporting every mokopuna to succeed in maths – not just with numbers, but with confidence, connection, and a strong sense of identity.
Boosting Student Achievement through Hākinakina - Sports, Storytelling, and Taonga Tākaro
Pouako across the kāhui ako o Waitematā came together to explore culturally relevant ways of engaging our mokopuna. With support from Sport Aucklands expert facilitators Haare Titoko and Merimoana Kenrick and our across-school leaders engaged in professional development in tākaro — traditional Māori games — alongside storytelling and physical activity. These experiences provided practical tools to reduce cognitive load in the classroom and to further build stronger, more authentic connections with our mokopuna, enhancing both wellbeing and achievement in the classroom and beyond. Feel free to take a copy of the resources in the link below.
Whare Tapu o te Ngākau Māori - Well Being Hub
A heartfelt thank you to all the kaiako who came together for the recent Wellbeing Hub, and a special mihi to Te Kura o Ritimana – Richmond Road School for your warm and generous hosting.
This wānanga was a powerful expression of kotahitanga – a space where kaiako from across our Kāhui Ako gathered to share, reflect, and uplift one another in our shared commitment to ākonga wellbeing. The energy in the room reflected deep whakaaro and a strong desire to grow collective capacity.
Kaiako explored tools and teaching practices being used across both English and Māori medium pathways, building on each other’s knowledge and experiences. Together, we engaged with Te Whare Tapu o te Ngākau Māorifrom the Māori Achievement Collaborative – strengthening our understanding of the ngākau Māori and how it informs the way we care for and connect with our ākonga.
Scenario-based sessions with our ASLs offered opportunities to role-play and practise culturally responsive strategies, bringing theory into practical, heartfelt action.
These Collaboration Hubs are more than professional learning – they are spaces of whakawhanaungatanga, wānanga, and shared leadership. They remind us that we are stronger together, and that by paddling in unison, we carry all our waka forward.
"Mā te hoe ngātahi ka ū ō tātou waka ki Te Matā"
"Through collaboration we reach our destination."
We look forward to continuing this mahi alongside your kaiako in the year ahead.
Writing - Tuhituhi Collaboration Hub
A special thank you to Te Uru Karaka – Newton Central School for graciously hosting us for our Tuhituhi - Writing Collaboration Hub.
It was inspiring to see kaiako from across our Kāhui Ako – primary, intermediate, and secondary – come together with a shared commitment to strengthening writing outcomes for our ākonga. The richness of the kōrero reflected the depth of experience in the room, as kaiako reflected on their journeys, shared progress, and explored next steps in their writing programmes.
One of the most powerful aspects of the session was the collective focus on supporting seamless transitions for ākonga as they move through our schools in partiular the stills needed to for NCEA. Robust conversations unfolded around assessment, moderation, and aligning practices to ensure that every learner experiences consistency, care, and success at each stage of their educational journey.
This is the true strength of our Kāhui Ako – kaiako collaborating across pathways, sharing what works, and supporting each other to uplift all learners.
Ko Pāngarau te Aratika – Making Maths Māori
Me mihi ka tika to all the kaiako who joined our latest Pāngarau -Mathematics Hub – your presence elevated the kaupapa and brought wairua to the space. Kua rangatira tātou i a tātou.
It was heartening to witness the rich discussions and growing connections across our Kāhui Ako as we explored how to make our approach to maths more grounded in te ao Māori. This kaupapa is not just about teaching pāngarau – it’s about honouring identity, language, and culture in the way we approach numeracy.
A special mihi to Dr Whaea Piata Allen from Auckland University for generously sharing her expertise and insight with us. If you’d like to continue the kōrero or have any pātai, she has kindly offered to be available for further discussions:
p.allen@auckland.ac.nz
These hubs are about more than just pedagogy – they’re about transforming our practice to reflect who we are, where we come from, and where we are going together.
Links to Resources here
Ko te pae tawhiti, whāia kia tata
Ko te pae tata, whakamaua kia tina!
Pursue distant horizons and hold fast to those within reach.
Celebrating Cultural Identity Through Art: Adel Salmanzadeh & Te Reo te Matā Join Forces
We’re excited to share a beautiful collaboration that brings the power of storytelling, identity, and creativity to the forefront of kaiako support and professional development.
Adel (Del) Salmanzadeh, a Baha’i refugee artist, educator, and researcher, recently partnered with Te Reo te Matā to run a special visual arts workshop with Māori-medium kaiako. His initiative, Prints for Good, isn’t just about making art—it’s about making meaning, rich conversations and whakapapa.
In this wānanga, kaiako engaged in printmaking as a cultural practice—drawing on personal and collective narratives, wairua, and whakapapa to create art that speaks to their identity as Māori educators. The hands-on workshop wove together kōrero, reflection, and mahi toi, using visual storytelling to strengthen cultural connection and deepen the way we express who we are in our teaching.
Each print made during the workshop is a taonga—unique, deeply personal, and grounded in the kaupapa of reclaiming story, space, and voice.
“Ka hono marika tēnei mahi ki ō tātou pūrākau, ki te reo, ki ngā ariā Māori, ki te whatumanawa. Ka rere te wairua whitawhita i roto i ngā mahi toi nei.”
– nā tētahi kaiako
Adel’s kaupapa through Prints for Good is all about supporting community work through participatory art. He works alongside organisations to co-create limited edition prints that reflect their kaupapa, while also raising awareness and funding through koha-based sales. These workshops are also a space of healing, affirmation, and connection—particularly powerful for those who carry deep stories of identity and transformation.
Through this partnership with Te Reo te Matā, Adel continues his mission of using art as a tool for empowerment—supporting educators who are doing the vital work of growing the next generation in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga.
Ngā mihi nunui ki a Del for bringing his heart, skill, and lived experience into our kāhui space—and to the kaiako who shared their stories so openly and powerfully. We look forward to hearing how to can provide the same opportunities with your ākonga.
Te Paepae Mana Motuhake Wānanga with Ruia Aperahama & Te Reo o te Matā
A Journey of Identity and Empowerment
A Journey of Identity and Empowerment
Matua Ruia asked kaiako to consider their place on the haerenga — the ever-shifting journey of being a Māori educator in today. Whether walking the pae tata (the near horizon) or dreaming toward the pae tawhiti (the distant goal), each kaiako carries a unique story and contribution.
The pātai we explored together were profound:
“Kei hea hoki koe i tēnei ara namunamu, i tēnei ara tiatia?”
Where are you on this winding, at times steep, pathway?
Koha in All Forms – Big or Small
Koha in All Forms – Big or Small
Through shared kōrero and reflection Matua Ruia affirmed us that every hui -whether big (matawhānui) or small (matawhāiti)—carries a koha āwhina. Sometimes that koha is clarity, sometimes connection, sometimes quiet confidence.
“Ahakoa inā hui matawhānui, matawhāiti rānei, hei koha āwhina tonu kei roto.”
No matter the scale, there is always value. This wānanga reminded us as kaiako māori that mana motuhake is not only about where you are headed, but how you walk, who walks with you, and what you carry within.
Uplifting the Mana of Our Educators
Uplifting the Mana of Our Educators
At the heart of this kaupapa was a deep affirmation of kaiako: that your presence matters, your voice is valid, and your mahi is a vital expression of identity and tino rangatiratanga.
We honour the kaiako who leaned into vulrability while sharing their stories, and supported each other in this collective space of learning and unlearning. Your courage and insight continue to shape the future of Māori education.
Ngā mihi nui ki ngā kaiako i tamo mai, i wānanga, i noho tahi i raro i te korowai o te mātauranga Māori. You are the heartbeat of our learning spaces of our māori medium. May your path be lit by the strength of those who walk with you. E tika ana te kōrero ko te pae tawhiti, whāia kia tata; ko te pae tata whakamaua kia tina. Ko Ara mana Motuhake tērā.
Takiwātanga Wānanga: A Tailored PD for Māori Medium Kura with Tim Thomspon from RTLB
Recently, kaiako from Māori medium kura across Tāmaki Makaurau came together for a powerful wānanga on Takiwātanga - a kaupapa centred on understanding autism and neurodiversity through a kaupapa Māori lens.
This workshop was facilitated by Tim from RTLB cluster 7, this professional development opportunity offered rich insight into the lived realities of neurodiverse ākonga Māori, grounded in recent rangahau Māori and whakaaro tuku iho.
A place for both beginning and experienced teachers to come together to share best practise for our mokopuna!
Key Themes from the Wānanga
Key Themes from the Wānanga
Takiwātanga reframes autism through the lens of mana motuhake, recognising the unique rhythms, worlds, and brilliance of each tamaiti.
Recent rangahau Māori challenges deficit-based narratives and calls for culturally anchored responses in education.
Kaiako explored real-life case studies, tools for inclusive practice, and how to nurture mana ākonga through whanaungatanga, aroha, and deep listening.
The wānanga strengthened connections between kura, opening space for future collaboration and collective advocacy.
Matua Tim invites you to listen to a snippet of the kaupapa in the link below.
Deliberate Tools to Empower Rich Kōrero
Our incredible māori medium kaiako have taken part in a powerful professional learning journey facilitated by Te Ahunui, focused on the kaupapa of Te Whakakōrero – breaking down barriers to speaking and building confidence in te reo Māori.
As part of this wānanga, they explored six dynamic learning activities – including Te Whiriwhiri Rōpū, Karangatanga, Rākau, Rāhui and Ātārangi – all designed to strengthen oral language, cultural identity, and collaborative learning.
Our kaiako have for the revitalisation of te reo Māori and for creating rich learning environments for our tamariki and whānau.
We acknowledge and celebrate these kaiako for leaning into and investing best practice to empower the future of our language and culture.
📣 Feel free to take a look at the link to the resources below.
Inspiring Literacy Collaboration
In week 5 our team had the pleasure of hosting an attending an incredible Literacy Hub session hosted at Western Springs College. It was a powerful opportunity to connect with educators from across our learning community. Bayfield Primary and Western Springs College shared a range of inspiring literacy resources and practices, sparking rich conversations and new ideas to take back to our own classrooms. We're grateful for the chance to collaborate, learn, and grow together in support of our ākonga. Ka pai to everyone involved for making the session so valuable and engaging! We will host another literacy hub in term 3. We will continue to share best practise.
Putting Wellbeing First: A Transformational Programme for Our Ākonga
In 2023, Te Kāhui Ako o Waitematā launched the Wellbeing and Attendance Programme — a bold initiative aimed at re-engaging our most vulnerable tamariki by addressing the underlying wellbeing challenges affecting their attendance. Born from the collective voice of our kura, the programme recognised the vital need for strong, trust-based partnerships between home and school.
After an extensive search through over 100 applicants, we were proud to welcome Hinerangi Tawara into the role. With a deep background in social work, and a passionate commitment to improving outcomes for Māori ākonga, Hinerangi hit the ground running. Her mahi has had a powerful ripple effect across our Kāhui Ako, supporting more than 80 students and their whānau to reconnect, re-engage, and thrive within their school communities.
Her empathetic approach, cultural insight, and unwavering belief in every child’s potential have brought lasting change — not just in attendance numbers, but in the lives of our tamariki and their whānau. Ngā mihi nui ki a koe Hinerangi mōu i whakatinana ai te korowai aroha ki runga i Waitematā. Thank you for your support over the couple of years and impact you brought to this kaupapa.
We wish Hinerangi all the best as we put his kaupapa go to rest. Ngā mihi nui!
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