An inclusive indigenous approach to curriculum development

ABSTRACT

For more than 40 years education decisions leading the direction and resourcing of curriculum development, teaching and learning practices, as well as assessment practices in Aotearoa (New Zealand) have been decided, primarily, based on what is happening in the dominant English medium education space. The impact on the advancement of the Māori language, knowledge, and the education of children through Māori medium education pathways has been far reaching. This paper advocates for a more inclusive national curriculum for Māori medium education that stems from a Māori worldview and prioritises Māori knowledge, ways of knowing, thinking, and doing. The Te Tīrewa Marautanga framework [Ministry of Education. 2020. ‘He tamaiti hei raukura.’ https://www.kauwhatareo.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/689950af53/He-Tamaiti-Hei-Raukura_Paper_.pdf] provides for the next evolution in Māori medium curriculum development by giving greater prominence to Māori knowledge, the intrinsic links between all aspects of human growth and wellbeing, the aspirations of whānau, hapū and iwi, Māori language and culture as well as the skills and attribute required for future success in a global world.

KEYWORDS:

• Māori
• curriculum development
• indigenous knowledge
• inclusion

Notes

1 For examples of whare wānanga see https://www.wananga.com/, https://www.wananga.ac.nz/.

2 Te Marautanga o Aotearoa is a great step forward, however, it is only the first step.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tabitha McKenzie

Tabitha McKenzie (Ko Ngāti Hinerangi, Ko Ngāi te Rangi, Ko Ngāti Ranginui ngā iwi) is a Māori academic who has taught across the early childhood, primary, secondary and master’s programmes at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington focused particularly around Māori language and education. She has also been involved in a range of projects and research that contributes to indigenous knowledge and curriculum development as well as pedagogy, and teacher professional development.

Rāwiri Toia

Rāwiri Toia (Ko Whakataha te maunga, ko Waitangi te awa, ko Ngāpuhi te iwi) is a Māori academic who has specialised in indigenous curriculum development for the past 20 years. His continued work in indigenous curriculum design focuses on place, identity, mātauranga Māori and how a national future-focused curriculum gives effect to localised educational aspirations.