Activating 'Critical' Change

In order to effect 'critical' change we must develop equitable and excellent learning contexts in which our tamariki mokopuna and rangatahi feel they belong and can be successful as Māori.

We must seek opportunities for mana whenua, iwi and whānau to speak into these spaces so that their knowledge and expertise can define more determined and authentic cultural and learning pathways for our rangatira mō āpōpō.

This requires relational and interdependent engagement processes, informed by past experiences, in order to realise the potential of rangatahi and whānau going forward.

Critical change elements

Critical change elements are the processes or procedures created to understand what is currently occurring across communities, then co-designing and institutionalising innovation for improvement and monitoring the performance of the reform.

The 12 Change Elements are by their collaborative nature iterative models of implementation. They are not a prescription or a stand-alone programme, but are responsive to each context, building on local knowledge and expertise.

They are ongoing and enduring collaborative conversations and investigations that ensure a coherent and aligned indigenising and decolonising approach to our future joint actions and outcomes.

Our Commitment

We are committed to working for equity, excellence and belonging to build strong foundations for the future.

Our work has been led by Māori with non-Māori, in te reo Māori settings and in English medium settings.

Our focus is on supporting leaders, schools and early childhood centres to work more effectively with whānau, tamariki mokopuna, and rangatahi Māori. Our outcomes show multiple benefits for all. We have learnt that ‘Kaupapa Māori’ and ‘Critical’ theories are foundational to the type of indigenising and decolonising transformative reform required for addressing inequity and racism across society. Our foundational duality of praxis brings these theories and our practice together. These understandings have been learned alongside wider Māori communities through over 30 years of iterative research and professional development.

We are now supported, across a range of sectors, by Māori and non-Māori who recognise that the ongoing disparities for Māori are socially unjust and must not continue. We believe that not one generation more should miss out on the benefits of effective education for future life choices. The aspirations of the Ka Hikitia - Ka Hāpaitia The Māori Education Strategy provide a strong system foundation from which to build.
The University of Waikato, Poutama Pounamu Research and Development whānau

Critical change elements leading to equity, excellence and belonging