Living Te Tiriti: Bicultural Practice in Early Childhood Settings (full series)

Discover insights from 6 inspirational speakers from across the sector, who consistently place Te Tiriti o Waitangi at the heart of their practice.

Ngā ara ako mō ngā ākonga whaikaha – Learning pathways for learners with special rights
Emma Parangi, Educational Leadership Project
Wednesday 14 May, 6:30-8:00pm

This wānanga is an invitation to explore a Māori lens on neurodiversity and disability. The ingoa Māori (Māori names) for some of these ways of being are potential portals into a different perspective on how we can support all ākonga in their transitions within our care, and onto their next learning experiences.

Toitū Te Whāriki
Lynette Tamarapa
Tumuaki, Te Kōhanga Reo o Mana Tamariki
Wednesday 11 June, 6:30-8:00pm

In a time where the Early Childhood education sector is being challenged by government regulation changes Toitū Te Whāriki is more relevant than ever.
Te Whāriki MUST include Te Tiriti references, join me in the conversation about how engagement with Māori as Mana Whenua benefits all cultures in an early learning environment, the wider community and beyond.
Understanding that through waiata (song), pūrakau (stories) and engagement with mana whenua (local peoples) Te Whāriki becomes a living and breathing bicultural curriculum document.
Let’s choose what’s best for our education sector- Toitū Te Whāriki!

Leanne Clayton
Pouarahi ā-rohe, Te Rūnanga Nui o ngā KKM o Aotearoa
Wednesday 13 August, 6:30-8:00pm

Description to be confirmed.

Te Ōhāki – Our Taonga
Roskill South Kindergarten teaching team
Wednesday 10 September, 6:30-8:00pm

This workshop will explore our journey to create a taonga that celebrates the people, places, and things valued and cherished by our kindergarten whānau, past and present.
Our vision to create a Pou was a collaborative project involving tamariki, whānau, kaiako, the community, and local iwi. It has captured the stories, wairua, and aroha from the past 50 years of our kindergarten whānau and celebrates the uniqueness of our place.
Te Ao Māori was the kaupapa that guided this process, and our links with our local maunga and iwi were strengthened. Storytelling was key to the creation of our taonga, and this process strengthened community engagement, brought cultures together, and produced an artefact that fosters a sense of belonging and enhances the mana of the past, present, and future community. We will share Learning Stories, Whānau Stories and Collaborative Community Stories to share our magical journey to create our Pou – Te Ōhāki.

Weaving Stories of Place, Identity and Belonging
Roberta Skeoch
Wednesday 8 October, 6:30-8:00pm

Culturally responsive assessment in early childhood education.

He Haerenga Mātauranga: Embracing Our Journey in Te Reo Māori and Te Whāriki
Bridget Chapman
Head Teacher, Northland Kindergarten Association
Wednesday 12 November, 6:30-8:00pm

Te Whāriki is grounded in a bicultural framework that honours the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This kōrero invites kaiako to reflect on our shared haerenga ako, our journey as learners and advocates of te reo Māori within the early childhood education context. Te Whāriki emphasises the importance of importance of identity, language, and culture, affirming the unique heritage each mokopuna brings to their learning environment. As we walk this path together, we acknowledge the wero (challenges) and embrace the opportunities that come with integrating te reo Māori into our everyday practice.

Our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi calls us to foster hononga (partnerships) that respect and uplift ngā tirohanga Māori (Māori perspectives), ensuring that te reo Māori and tikanga Māori are authentically and meaningfully woven into the fabric of our ako settings. By embracing a humble and aroha-based approach, we create inclusive, responsive environments where all tamariki feel seen, valued, and empowered. Join us as we explore practical strategies, share experiences, and deepen our understanding of how to honour our kawa, our curriculum, and our tino rangatiratanga as educators. Together, we can continue to build a truly bicultural nation where the reo me ngā tikanga of every mokopuna are recognised and celebrated.

Book for the full series below for only $216.00!