A Kaupapa Māori analysis of Tātaiako - Considering Māori education policy

Abstract

The overarching policy strategy for Mäori education is contained in the document Ka Hikitia— Accelerating Success 2013–2017: The Mäori Education Strategy (preceded by Ka Hikitia—Managing for Success 2008–2012), out of which fall some specific Mäori education resources. One of these is Tätaiako: Cultural Competencies for Teachers of Mäori Learners. The Tätaiako framework purports to define behaviours and skills that reflect a teacher’s Mäori cultural competence to ensure the success of Mäori students, as Mäori. These competencies are identified as five traditional Mäori values and concepts: ako, manaakitanga, tangata whenuatanga, wänanga and whanaungatanga. The purpose of this article is to present a Kaupapa Mäori analysis of Tätaiako, which raises questions about its potential to improve Mäori student achievement, its underlying political purpose and the challenges inherent in the education system that may affect its successful implementation.