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In 2018, we started a conversation with Māori whānau and communities about what matters most to them in education. More than 2000 learners, whānau and educators came together across Aotearoa in a series of wānanga to discuss the future of Māori education. 

An online survey was run as part of Kōrero Mātauranga | Education Conversation. Māori comprised 2122, or 12 per cent, of the 16,466 people who responded to the survey.

The results of the survey back up earlier findings that teaching and learning needs to be culturally responsive, and the education system needs to reflect and foster Māori identity, culture and values.

Click here to download a copy of the report in Maori.

Click here to download a copy of the report in English.

Thank you for your input. The information you gave us will be used to inform our refresh of Ka Hikitia, the Tau Mai Te Reo, and the overall Education Work Programme. 

We’ve also had feedback from a series of national wānanga. The national report and a series of regional summary reports are available on the Māori education page.

Some of the main points made at these wānanga included:

  • Māori want tino rangatiratanga – agency and authority – over the education of Māori learners. This means there needs to be a genuine partnership approach across the education system, with leaders who believe in Māori and understand te ao Māori.
  • Racism and bias continue to impact Māori learner confidence, achievement, and outcomes.
  • A sense of belonging is crucial for Māori to succeed as Māori. Teaching and learning need to better reflect and foster Māori identity, culture and values in all their diversity.
  • We need to engage Māori learners in the context of their whānau.
  • We need to work towards a bilingual New Zealand. This requires the revitalisation and normalisation of te reo Māori.
  • Education to support the holistic wellbeing of ākonga and their whānau with physically, culturally, emotionally, and spiritually safe environments.
  • Māori thrive in Māori Medium Education settings. Access to Māori medium pathways across sectors needs to be improved.
  • A workforce that is representative of and responsive to Māori. Māori staff need better support and recognition. More Māori teachers and professionals are needed, particularly in te reo Māori, learning support and social services.