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 My Growth Cycle encompasses the question based on student needs and abilities to learn and develop the knowledge and skills necessary for their own personal, cultural and educational growth. It seeks to provide a wide range of learning strategies, experiences and expected outcomes. 

The Big question: “How can I give students the knowledge and strategies that will enable them to engage confidently in simple and ongoing conversations in te reo?”


I have too often observed students who lack the vocab and the sentence structures necessary to be able to engage in basic conversations in Te Reo Maori. There are many reasons why our students are in these positions. The following share a small window of some underlying issues that challenge the effectiveness of te reo programmes and resources being equitable for the learning and development of fluency in Mainstream medium schools for young Maori students. 

  1. Their first language is English

  2. Families are not confident reo speakers

  3. Te Reo is not spoken openly in the home, school and community.

  4. Tikanga is changing, threatening our language and culture

  5. Te reo resources are scarce including fluent reo teachers.

  6. Reo educationalists are constantly strained to keep up with the strengthening and establishment of reo programmes and assessments to cater adequately and consistently to students in Maori medium schools. 


Many students lack the confidence to engage in natural conversations. They feel whakama with using Te Reo in the wider school community as Te Reo is somewhat still foreign and not the norm with English being the dominant language in many schools and communities. There is a definite need for the speaking of te Reo Maori to be normalised in and around the school. 


I am passionate about cutting through the long grass that has stifled the growth of young seeds that are reaching out for the sun, freshness, nourishment and authenticity. 


As a bi-lingual teacher of te reo, I am confronted with challenges daily. To implement a level 2 Maori immersion programme in a mainstream medium school poses many difficulties for Kaiako both mentally and spiritually to find and determine a true balance between the effectiveness of teaching and learning in both the Maori and English languages. It takes a lot of discussions, discretion and careful planning to create authentic and meaningful learning programmes. One of the greatest things to be valued is to ensure that our programmes are exciting and enjoyable. Teaching te reo at this level and amongst these challenges requires patience, encouragement, and support. We must remember that students may find an overloaded demanding lesson too overwhelming and unclear. Only with true balance and authenticity am I confident that a seamless reo programme can be most certainly successful.


I am a part of an amazing team at Tautoro school who have taken up the challenge to teach te reo. We have the support of our Board of Trustees and management team which is most important and encouraging to us. We are working collaboratively to find the best possible way forward, using all our knowledge and skills to bring together an effective level 2 Maori immersion programme in a mainstream school. At this beginning point, it is fundamental that we together move forward one step at a time to uplift and strengthen te reo in our classrooms I raro i te maru o te Atua me o tatou tupuna.


Sir James Henare states, "You have come too far not to go further; you have done too much, not to do more".



Rauemi/Rautaki: 

Understanding and using Te Marautanga, Te Aho Arataki Marau mō te Ako i Te Reo Māori 

Understanding and using the progressions Te Waharoa Ararau, Panui Haere, Hopukina, Manu Tuhituhi

Developing an assessment Kete for korero, panui, tuhituhi.


Planning for conversational interactions in te reo.


WALT and Success Criteria are displayed and shared in Te Reo.


Sourcing resources-Vocab cards, Te Arapu charts, Maori a Minute, Kemu, Te Whanake,

He Reo Tupu, He Reo Ora, Kauwhata Reo, 


Modelling the use of Te Reo


Reo in the classroom / School / Marae

  • Mihi/Karakia

  • Waiata

  • Role play, Skits

  • Panui plays

  • Recorded mahi

  • Guided panui, korero, tuhituhi

  • Peer reading / discussions

  • Listening to videos, podcasts


Professional Reading / Documents

  • He Ara Ako i te Reo Matatini

  • Te Aho arataki Marau

  • Te Marautanga

  • Te Whanaketanga

  • Te Tiriti o Waitangi


Consulting experts

  • Matua Wikitoria

  • Local Kaumatua/Kuia

  • Te Riingi Marae / Tautoro and surrounding areas.


With developed te reo knowledge and strategies, my students will be able to understand and engage confidently in simple ongoing conversations using te reo Maori.

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