This is a resource provided from the Minstry of Education and has become a common feature of my daily life. Tataiako is cultural competencies for teachers of Maori learners, basically meaning how teachers have relationships with Maori leaners and their whanau. If used correctly this document can help provide the tools and resources needed to help Maori be successful in education. The key competencies are:
- Wänanga: participating with learners and communities in robust dialogue for the benefit of Mäori learners’ achievement.
- Whanaungatanga: actively engaging in respectful working relationships with Mäori learners, parents and whänau, hapü, iwi and the Mäori community.
- Manaakitanga: showing integrity, sincerity and respect towards Mäori beliefs, language and culture.
- Tangata Whenuatanga: affirming Mäori learners as Mäori. Providing contexts for learning where the language, identity and culture of Mäori learners and their whänau is affirmed.
- Ako: : taking responsibility for their own learning and that of Mäori learners.
Everything I have to do in education and at school on a daily basis, I use these cultural competencies. Having a school roll with majority of Maori learners, it is important that I am living and breathing these key values. For me these competencies are important for students to feel a sense of belonging in their school and have success as Maori.
