Māori education

Maori achievement strategy

We recognise the unique status of tangata whenua in New Zealand and are dedicated to implementing procedures and practices within all aspects of Deaf Education to raise achievement for our Māori students.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a crucial driver for the way we deliver services, act and engage with tangata whenua, ākonga, whānau and iwi. The Board of Trustees acknowledges that iwi and hapu have a constitutional interest in the effectiveness of our service delivery to Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.

As part of our Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations within the New Zealand Curriculum, Ko Taku Reo promotes the integration of Māori pedagogy and practices. Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations within the New Zealand Curriculum identifies and guides us in ways to implement culturally responsive outputs that support Māori students to enjoy educational success as Māori. This is integrated into the ethos of the service, including the daily curriculum, and we aim for all students, both Māori and non-Māori, to be provided with opportunities to take part in tikanga Māori, Te Reo Māori and other Māori cultural activities.

To encourage this work, professional development is offered for all staff. Our local Māori Deaf community are also invested in the work we do. Our close relationship with this group has enabled cultural and inter-generational learning and relationship building with our students. In both Rūaumoko Marae in Tāmaki-makau-rau/Auckland and Whare Tuawera in Ōtautahi/Christchurch, our community can connect with the rich cultural heritage of Aotearoa.

At Ko Taku Reo, we have a dedicated Maori Strategic Lead alongside other key Māori-focused personnel who support our forward movement in ensuring an equitable bi-cultural service. In addition, these roles support engagement with the whānau of our enrolled students, alongside fostering relationships between the school communities and local runanga.