Tataiako and Maori Education: Cultural Competency Framework Analysis

This paper delves into the core principles of Tataiako, a framework designed to enhance cultural competency within the Maori educational system. It examines the key objectives of Tataiako, emphasizing the importance of effective communication and collaboration among students, teachers, iwi, and whanau. The paper further explores Maori learner success, referencing Ka Hikitia, the government's strategy for Maori educational achievement, and underscores the crucial roles of teachers and parents in fostering a culturally enriched learning environment. It provides a detailed analysis of the five Tataiako competency areas: Wānanga, Manaakitanga, Ako, Tangata Whenuatanga, and Whanaungatanga, outlining how these competencies can be enacted in early childhood settings. The paper also discusses the integration of Te Reo me ngā tikanga Māori within the Tataiako framework and establishes connections between Tataiako and Te Whariki, highlighting how Tataiako supports the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Running Head: TATAIAKO
Tataiako
Student’s Name
Name of Institution

TATAIAKO 2
Introduction
This paper aims to discuss the main aims of Tataiako which applies to the students and teachers
within the Maori community for cultural competency in the teaching sector and learning sector
(Stuart, 2017). Additionally, the paper explains the Maori learner success with regards to the
Maori culture looking into the Ka Hikitia importance in education success within the Maori.
Encouragements to the teachers and parents play an essential role in successful education
development enriched with Maori culture with a critical look into the five Tataiako competency
areas of the Wananga, Manaakitanga, Ako, Tanga Whenuatanga and Whanaungatanga (Hunter
& Miller, 2017). Each area of competency gets its enactment tactics before considering how to
use the te reo me ngā tikanga Māori by Tataiako. Lastly, the document links Te Whariki to
Tataiako and identifies the Tātaiako support the principles inherent in Te Tiriti o Waitangi then
concludes (State Service Commission, 2005).
The main aim of Tataiako
Honest and beneficial correspondence among the Maori community at large, students, iwi and
whanau are the essential pillars for learning and teaching efficacy (Education Council, 2011).
This is the principal aim of Tataiako, that is, culturally competent Teachers of students of Maori
(Stuart, 2017).
The teacher must also be able to implement the same in the classroom surrounding and
curriculum. They should be in a position to appreciate the expectations of the iwi and whanau
have towards their children (Clarke, Macfarlane, & Macfarlane, 2018). It also questions the
participation and the visibility of iwi and whanau in the cultural learning and teaching of the
early childhood or school education programs (Fickel, Abbiss, Brown, & Astall, 2018).

TATAIAKO 3
An explanation of what ‘Māori learners achieving education success as Māori’ means
Ka Hikitia: managing for prosperity, the strategy of the government towards Maori attaining
success in education and remain being Maori, stresses the benefits of a relationship between the
teacher and the student (Education Council, 2011). There has been proof that highly effective
teaching has an important impact on the system of education and results to the most effective
learning for the students possessing a variety of learning requirements (Whitinui, 2018).
Ka Hikitia also emphasizes the benefits of language, identity, and culture. Teachers familiarizing
themselves with where the learners hail from, relationships that are productive among the
teachers, whanau, Maori students and iwi and teachers developing on what learners already have
or know (Conner & Bennetts, 2018).
Whanau and parents have an essential role to play in helping with the true learning of their
children at the very beginning. It has been proven that the learning results improve where
parental participation is focused and maintained in the school's learning programs (Torepe &
Manning, 2018). Parents are required to teach their children about their identity, culture, and
style which makes it easier for teachers to develop on what learners already understand. Parents
are also encouraged on creating relationships that are productive among teachers, Maori learners,
educators, and whanau (Tait-McCutcheon & Knewstubb, 2018).
An outline of the five areas of cultural competence contained in Tātaiako
 Wānanga: getting involved with the communities and students in vigorous conversations
mean to help the Maori students achieve their expectations.

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 TangataWhenuatanga: acknowledging Maori students as Maori. The contents for learning
that are provided should contain the culture, language, and identity of the students of
Maori and the acknowledgment of their whanau (Hunter & Miller, 2017).
 Whanaungatanga: active participation in meaningful partnership with respect among
parents, Maori learners, iwi, hapu, whanau and the society of Maori at large.
 Manaakitanga: demonstrating respect, honesty, and integrity for the culture, beliefs, and
language of the Maori community.
 Ako: being accountable for their learning and the general learning of the Maori students.
How these competencies might be enacted in an early childhood setting, for each of the five
areas
1. WĀNANGA
The WANANGA engages the communities and the learners in vigorous conversations that are of
importance to the Maori students in attaining their aspirations through various stages outlined
below (Education Council, 2011):
When getting into ITE
 They should be able to show open-mindedness to contemplate about different
perspectives and relate to their values and beliefs.
 They should have an understanding that perspectives different from their personal beliefs
may be valid.
Once graduated into a teacher

TATAIAKO 5
 Should demonstrate effective communication in teaching and support for co-operative
and co-construction student measures put in place(Charteris, Smardon, & Nelson, 2017).
Once becoming a certified teacher
 Should be able to apply specific protocols and approaches for effective interactions with
iwi, whanau, hapu, and society.
 Can engage the whanau, students, iwi, the communities and hapu in an open conversation
concerning learning and teaching.
In pursuit of leadership
Should offer active support and encouragement when necessary and be able to question the
Maori parents, iwi, whanau, the communities, and the hapu to understand they expect to be
involved in serious issues at the ECE service and school (Barnes et al., 2017).
 As a routine, they should offer effective help and lead the staff inappropriate and active
engagement with the Maori communities, parents, iwi, hapu, and whanau.
Examples of voices on how to achieve WĀNANGA
 The whanau and parents feel confident and well engaged in the activities their children
undertake at school.
 The learners are satisfied with the way their parents are treated and heard and also in
regards to the expectations of the iwi, hapu, whanau and the whole community.
TANGATA WHENUATANGA

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Acknowledges the Maori students as Maori (Education Council, 2011). The learning contents
offered contain the language, identity and the culture of the Maori students and their whanau is
also acknowledged (Campbell & Gordon-Burns, 2017).
When getting into ITE
Should have self-awareness and the effects their personal beliefs, culture, and values.
Once graduated into a teacher
 Should be able to outline the indigenous history in the environment of New Zealand
school and its relevance to the learners.
 Should be in a position to expound on the importance of the knowledge about the local
communities, iwi and the local context to help the Maori students succeed through and in
education (Owen, 2017).
Once becoming a certified Teacher
 Should gather the pure cultural contents the Maori students carry to class through the
creation of a cultural ambiance for engagements and responses for learning.
 Should provide for active involvement of the people and the whanau being familiar with
the history, tikanga, language and local context to aid in the teaching and learning
activities in the classroom.
In pursuit of leadership
 Must be in the position as to expound and have an understanding on the impacts of the
local iwi, Maori students, hapu, the surroundings, local history, the ECE service or the
school, the community, and whanau.

TATAIAKO 7
 Should lively recognize the hapu, Maori parents, the communities and iwi as essential
people in the ECE or school service.
Examples of voices on how to achieve TANGATA WHENUATANGA
 The teachers know to engage the learner and what the knowledge the carry to class.
 There is a feeling that the ECE or school service is part of the society and it is evident
that it is a school for the local people.
WHANAUNGATANGA
They are involved in active partnerships that are meaningful among the parents, Maori students,
the communities, iwi, whanau and hapu (Education Council, 2011).
When getting into ITE
 Should be able to explain from personal encounters the impacts of culture, identity, and
language on partnerships.
Once graduated into a teacher
 Should have an understanding of the impact of their language, identity, and culture on
partnerships and thus should acknowledge the importance of embracing friendly learning
with the students, communities, whanau, iwi, and hapu.
 Should have the required approaches and tools to create successful partnerships with the
learners, communities, whanau, iwi and the hapu.
After becoming a certified teacher
 Should actively look for avenues to getting along with the whanau to utilize the
achievement of the Maori students.

TATAIAKO 8
 Should have a working friendship with respect among the Maori students and their hapu,
whanau, and iwi that promotes the learner's achievements.
In the pursuit for leadership
 Should have an understanding of how the iwi and whanau work.
 Should make sure that the ECE or school service, whanau, and teachers get along well to
utilize Maori student achievement.
Examples of voices on how to achieve WANAUNGATANGA
 Learners get along with their teachers
 Teachers have a respectful partnership with the ECE or school service.
MANAAKITANGA
Shows respect, integrity, and honesty to the beliefs, culture, and language of the Maori people.
When getting into ITE
 Should demonstrate respect for the cultural views of the Maori people and value the
culture of the Maori community in the New Zealand community.
 Should have an understanding of the root values of the Maori culture which includes:
rangatiratanga, manaakitanga and mana whenua.
Once graduated into a teacher

TATAIAKO 9
 Should be able to expound on the benefits of recognizing the values of Maori and iwi in
classroom activities and ECE or school service
Once becoming a certified teacher
 Should demonstrate care towards the Maori students, their thoughts and why.
 Should show respect towards the Maori’s local culture.
In pursuit of leadership
 Should actively follow and recognize the correct protocols while interacting with the
communities, whanau, the parents, iwi, and hapu.
 Have an understanding of the culture fo the Maori and local tikanga well enough to
answer learners correctly.
Examples of voices on how to achieve MANAAKITANGA
Te reo Maori in classrooms motives learners to communicate in Maori if they wished to.
Parents appreciate the kind of care teachers have towards their children.
AKO
Teachers account for their learning and the Maori students
When getting into ITE
 They should conduct themselves as learners.
 They should realize the importance of boosting the level of success of Maori learners.
Once graduated into a teacher

TATAIAKO 10
 Should be able to demonstrate philosophy while teaching which shows their high
aspirations and commitment towards the learners prospering as Maori.
 Should have an understanding that learners already possess knowledge supported by
culture, language, and identity.
 Shall be accountable for their personal growth concerning the Maori student’s success.
Once becoming a certified teacher
 Should make sure that there is consistency in learning between school and at home.
 They should take upon themselves and ensure Maori learners succeed as part of own
growth.
In the pursuit for leadership
 Should demonstrate honest commitment towards the success of Maori learners.
 Should plan strategically and supervise the goals set for the success of the Maori learners.
Examples of voices on how to achieve Ako
 The learners feel that teachers are committed towards their achievement and do not give
up on them.
 Parents appreciate the teacher's honest commitment to their children's success.
Consideration of how the use of supports the cultural competencies outlined in Tātaiako
Using Te reo in classrooms gives support to the learners in the growth of reo. The Kaimahi
writing evaluations done in English and evaluations conducted to ascertain fluency among the
learners and encourage them to translate the same to the Maori language. With time the Kaimahi
can translate the stories on their own before the evaluation of fluent speakers. The kaimahi can

TATAIAKO 11
write stories in Maori requiring little when necessary from those who speak fluently. This
enables learners to acquire skills such as the ability to write assessments, translate and fluency in
speech (EDUCATION.govt.nz, 2007).
Links between Tātaiako and the strands and principles of Te Whāriki
The Maori rules of Te Whariki supports the clear duty of a known curriculum which safeguards
te reo Maori, Maori pedagogy, passing down of attitudes, knowledge and skills and tikanga
Maori. The principle of Maori of Te Whariki such as nga kaupapa whakahaere vividly state the
kaiako responsibilities and duties in assessment and planning of learning encounters which
embodies the culture and social correspondence of the Maori learners (Ritchie, n.d).
The competencies of Tataiko entails respect for, knowing and being able to get along with the
Maori children, iwi, and whanau. This is the teacher's perspective of the world, knowledge, and
expectations which are an essential segment of teaching, culture, and learning of the ECE or
school service (Ritchie, n.d).
How Tātaiako support the principles inherent in Te Tiriti o Waitangi /The Treaty of Waitangi
The inherent principles of the Treaty of Waitangi include partnership, redress of grievances and
active protection. Therefore, teachers familiarizing themselves with the culture, language, and
identity of their learners is one way of supporting their rights because there is usually vigorous
conversation involving learners in classrooms, with Maori parents, iwi, whanau, hapu and the
community. The teachers also have respect for and value the culture of the Maori communities
even it may differ from their personal beliefs and values (State Service Commission, 2005).
Conclusion

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The essential pillars of the Maori community are the whanau whose support from the Tataiako
would ensure ensuring efficacy in education. Through Ka Hikitia, prosperity can be managed
through emphasizing on teacher familiarity with concepts such as culture and language of the
community thus providing competency through enacting the five areas of competence in the
Tataiako. Tataiako supports Te reo that encourages translated learning in the Maori community
with the Tataiako rules being the link to the principles of Te Whariki. Lastly, Tataiako supports
the treaty of Waitangi through various ways such as encouraging familiarity with the Maori
culture.

TATAIAKO 13
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