Kia ū ki te haumi o te waka, Whakarongohia! Hold fast, listen deep.

Kia ū ki te haumi o te waka, Whakarongohia!

Hold fast to the bindings of the waka, and listen!

This powerful whakataukī speaks directly to the heart of what it means to foster true equity and excellence for ākonga Māori in our schools. It’s a wero (challenge) and whakatau (invitation): a call to unity, to hold fast to our collective responsibilities, and to listen deeply to the voices of and their whānau. Just as the bindings of a waka hold it secure, ensuring it remains strong and purposeful, we are called to bind ourselves to a shared journey with our ākonga Māori, their voices, their lived experiences, their aspirations, their whānau, and their whakapapa. When we truly listen we uplift their mana and shift teaching and assessment practices in transformative and empowering ways.

Cultivating deeply responsive practice

At the core of this transformative approach is culturally responsive practice, which recognises the mana of every ākonga by weaving their culture, language, and identity into the very fabric of teaching and learning. It means centring Māori worldview, tikanga, and mātauranga in every learning moment. This means upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and repositioning ākonga Māori as tangata whenua - honouring unique ways of being and knowing. It challenges kaiako to reflect critically on their own identity and implicit biases and create spaces where Māori learners see themselves as culturally strong and intellectually capable. This isn't an "add-on"; it's essential for learning success. Through deliberate acts of whakawhanaungatanga - building relationships of high expectations, and ako – effective teaching and learning through culturally sustaining pedagogy, teachers can empower ākonga Māori to thrive academically, socially, and spiritually.

Assessment as relational practice: listening as inquiry

Imagine assessment shifting beyond isolated beginning and end tasks to an on-going, continuous, process of "listening as inquiry". Assessment is not a moment in time; it is a conversation over time. This approach involves frequently eliciting evidence of learning and using that information to adjust teaching and support. It is active listening to identify ākonga strengths, prior knowledge, and experiences and weaving this into teaching and learning.

To ensure true authenticity and equity, this pedagogy advocates for:

• incorporating culturally relevant contexts and exemplars.

• clarity about what is to be taught and developing ākonga agency.

• ensuring assessment methods reflect diverse ways of knowing and demonstrating learning.

• fostering learning conversations involving both learners and whānau in the assessment process.

• supporting an on-going process of noticing, interpreting, and responding in culturally affirming ways.

• a broad view of success - academic, wellbeing and cultural.

This comprehensive approach allows educators to truly listen and respond meaningfully, supporting equity and excellence in opportunities and outcomes for ākonga Māori.

Te Mana o te Whānau: whānau as co-navigators

The whakataukī calls us to "listen," and this is especially critical when it comes to whānau.

Deepening your cultural competence means deeply understanding each ākonga. The intentional practice of learning who your ākonga Māori are - where they come from, who they belong to, and what matters most to them will support connection and engagement. Whānau are a key part of this identity, and strong relationships with whānau are essential for realising potential. Their voice must be not only heard but honoured in practice. Whānau are integral to the educational journey and are strong advocates for their tamaiti.

Knowing ākonga and their whānau in this way enables kaiako to:

• acknowledge the mana of their whānau connections and whakapapa.

• connect learning to their cultural context.

• create safe, inclusive environments where learners feel seen and valued.

Productive partnerships with whānau means:

• co-designing learning opportunities.

• building trust through transparency and shared responsibility.

• understanding that whānau are experts in their tamariki.

Practical actions

• Use regular kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face) conversations to share progress and celebrate learning (not just problems).

• Involve whānau in curriculum planning and assessment.

• Provide accessible, mana-enhancing ways for whānau to contribute and lead in learning.

• Begin the year with whānau hui focused on aspirations.

• Use pepeha, whānau histories, and iwi connections as starting points for building learning-focused relationships.

• Co-construct learning goals with learners and their whānau that reflect both academic and cultural success.

Bind, paddle, listen

As educators, we are navigating a transformative journey towards equity and excellence for ākonga Māori. Our journey is not a solo voyage. Together, let's hold fast - to whanaungatanga, to whakapapa, to ako - and let us truly listen. In doing so, we build collective strength in both cultural and assessment capability, moving our waka toward a future where every ākonga Māori thrives.

He waka eke noa: join the kaupapa

Ready to transform your practice and empower ākonga Māori? The Mana Taurite, Mana Ako workshop is your opportunity to bind yourself to kaupapa – grounded in tikanga, mātauranga Māori, and proven learning science – to uplift and empower.

Hold fast. And listen.

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