Te Ao Māori

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Our Team

HOL: Beth Te Kiri
Kaiako: Beth Te Kiri Y9-13
Kai Awhina: Matua Rhys Thurston

We are passionate and dedicated to teaching te reo Māori and tikanga of Ngāti Kahungunu to our students here at Wiremu Koroneho. We want our students to be confident with who they are and the tikanga of the tangata whenua of Aotearoa. We strive to have our students speaking te reo Māori outside the classroom.

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ASPIRE – Our Purpose

• What is the purpose of this department?
• How does it support the school vision and values?
• What do we want students to aspire to in this learning area? 

Our purpose is that all students here at William Colenso College will experience basic Māori language and Ngāti Kahungunu tikanga so that they feel safe in the wider community. We aspire to build our department to nurture Te Reo Māori in the senior school Y11-13, achieving NCEA level 1-3.

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ACT – Teaching, Learning & Support

What students learn / How students learn

• We use a variety of strategies - co operative activities, mahi tahi, mahi rua, mahi a roopū teaching approaches
• Types of learning activities - pānui, tuhituhi, whakarongo and kōrero

Assessment & feedback

• In class we have regular review of what we are learning in class
• Feedback and feedforward to students to co construct next steps for students. Feedback is in students’ books and kanohi ki te kanohi

Support & extension

• Support is available where tuakana / teina is used
• Extension opportunities are available with most activities

Students learn through engaging, meaningful learning experiences that build both knowledge and skills. Our teaching focuses on active participation, clear feedback, and strong support so every learner can make progress.

• Junior learning builds foundations and confidence
• Senior courses offer clear pathways and choice
• Assessment supports growth and next steps

Support and extension opportunities ensure learning is inclusive and challenging.

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ACHIEVE – Pathways & Outcomes

• Senior course options and qualifications
• Skills students develop
• Pathways beyond school
• Opportunities beyond the classroom

Subject Selection Booklet  - page 11 under the heading Languages

Students run and support pōwhiri throughout the year, identifying the different roles and what these entail. Learning Māori opens pathways beyond school. Students develop skills that prepare them for further study, work, and life — including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and resilience.

Opportunities such as attending teacher college or university to become a kaiako in pre, primary or secondary school.

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Working in Partnership

We value strong partnerships with whānau. Families can support learning by encouraging regular attendance, engagement with feedback, and open communication with teachers.