Equity and Excellence

Are you ready to act and drive meaningful change for equity and excellence in education? This kaupapa is for educators and leaders committed to improving teaching and learning for ākonga Māori, with a focus on strengthening assessment - a current government priority.

Grounded in the Niho Taniwha framework (Dr Melanie Riwai-Couch) and anchored by Standard 1: Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership, this workshop aligns with the Teaching Standards (Professional Knowledge and Professional Practice). Participants will engage in critical reflection, collaborative learning, and strategic action to uplift outcomes for all learners.

Through the Niho Taniwha inquiry process — Whai, Ako, Mau, Tipu — you’ll move through a cycle of reflection, learning, application, and growth. By weaving Standards 2–6 through the lens of Standard 1, this wānanga creates a coherent, culturally grounded pathway to know better and do better — for yourself, your learners, and your community.

What to expect

This one-day wānanga combines reflection, collaboration, and practical tools to improve teaching and assessment for ākonga Māori.

Before the wānanga

• Readings and videos to build shared knowledge.

• A booklet to record and scaffold your learning journey.

During the wānanga

• Whakatūhonotia  | Connect – with Niho Taniwha kaupapa and our historical narrative.

• Whakawerohia | Challenge – unpack implicit bias and strengthen assessment practice (Professional Practice – Standard 6).

• Whakamanatia | Empower – critically reflect on your teaching using Arotake Whaiaro and evidence-informed strategies, applying your growth to positively impact those closest to you.

• Whakawhanaketia | Rise – put new learning into action to transform outcomes for ākonga Māori and extend change through you sphere of influence.

After the wānanga

• Practical strategies to continue refining teaching, learning, and assessment.

• Frameworks to support professional inquiry, self-review, and long-term improvement.

Who is for?

This wānanga is for educators who want to:

• Achieve equity and excellence for ākonga Māori and priority learners

• Strengthen professional knowledge by deepening understanding of curriculum, pedagogy, and diverse learners (Professional Standards 2 & 3)

• Improve professional practice with effective teaching, safe learning environments, and evidence-based assessment (Professional Standards 4–6)

• Work collaboratively within and across professional learning groups

• Partner with whānau, hapū, iwi, and communities in authentic ways.

Why participate?

By joining this kaupapa, you will gain:

• Tools to strengthen Professional Knowledge — connecting curriculum, pedagogy, and cultural understanding to meet diverse learner needs.

• Strategies to address bias and enhance Professional Practice in teaching, learning, and assessment.

• Frameworks for professional inquiry, reflection, and self-review that align with the 2026 Teaching Standards.

• Actions that drive equity, excellence, and improved outcomes for ākonga Māori.

Your investment

• Workshops are $385.00 + GST per person.

A 10% discount applies for three or more educators from the same school or kura.

We require a minimum number of participants for each workshop to proceed. We’ll confirm viability with all registered participants ten business days beforehand.

NOTE: Mana whenua are more than welcome to attend the workshops with you. Please contact us on info@evaluate.co.nz if you would like to invite hapū or iwi Māori to share in your school’s journey to improve teaching and learning for ākonga Māori.  We can arrange a place for free.