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Supporting Māori students
Culturally responsive strategies to meet the needs of Māori students who require additional support.
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Go to top of current page: Māori students
Strengthening and affirming the self-identity and self-esteem of Māori students who may need additional support to learn is a central theme.
Strategies for action
Five key strategies to support the inclusive design of learning environments for Māori students.
Explore Māori perspectives on inclusion
Develop an understanding of the different perspectives and values held by Māori parents and whānau.
Mā te kōrero, ka mōhio.
Mā te mōhio, ka mārama.
Mā te mārama, ka mātau.
Through discussion we become aware.
Through awareness we gain understanding.
Through understanding we gain proficiency/expertise.
Whakataukī
Two suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Explore beliefs, values, and expectations
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
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Includes:
- Resources
Know your Māori learners
Demonstrate care by getting to know your learners and what's important to them. Make connections to their experiences and contexts to support learning and strengthen relationships.
The most profound way to create a culturally responsive context is through introducing co-construction, where the student is free to bring their own experiences into that classroom context.
Three suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Includes:
- Video
- Resources
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Includes:
- Video
- Resources
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Ask the student what will help
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
Establish reciprocal relationships
Develop positive relationships with the community of people who know the student well.
Manaakitanga, or caring for your students’ wellbeing and learning, provides a common purpose and bond with parents and whānau.
Closed Captions
Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Includes:
- Video
- Resources
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Create a welcoming environment
Includes:
- Resources
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Discuss students’ learning and wellbeing
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
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Support whānau to help their children learn at home
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
Build community networks
Welcome your community into the classroom and take your class out to the community.
It’s not enough to invite the community to come to you – you have to go into the community.
Two suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Value whānau and community expertise
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
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Includes:
- Video
- Resources
Co-design a culturally sustaining environment
Students are more likely to achieve when they see themselves and their culture reflected positively in subject matter and learning contexts.
A high school English teacher describes how she matches her teaching strategies and learning resources to the students’ interests, experiences, and needs.
Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Integrate te reo Māori and tikanga Māori
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
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Includes:
- Video
- Resources
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Provide leadership opportunities
Includes:
- Video
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Includes:
- Video
- Resources
Key resources
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Tātaiako: Cultural competencies for teachers of Māori learners
Read time: 29 min
Document to support teachers in personalising learning for and with Māori learners.
Publisher: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
- Download PDF

Working with Māori students with special education needs, He mahi whakahirahira
Explores the key components of culturally responsive, evidence-based, special education practice and describes holistic and inclusive responses to educating all tamariki, especially those with identified special education need.
Publisher: The New Zealand Council for Educational Research
Price: One off charge NZ$44.95
Ka Hikitia: Actions for schools – Te Whānau: Education provision responds to learners within the context of their whānau
Resource to support the implementation and embedding of Ka Hikitia. It includes specific actions and readings to get you started.
Publisher: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
- Download PDF
More options
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Māori students
Strategies for action:
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Explore Māori perspectives on inclusionShow suggestions for Explore Māori perspectives on inclusion
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Know your Māori learnersShow suggestions for Know your Māori learners
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Establish reciprocal relationshipsShow suggestions for Establish reciprocal relationships
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Build community networksShow suggestions for Build community networks
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Co-design a culturally sustaining environmentShow suggestions for Co-design a culturally sustaining environment