This collaborative project between the Child Wellbeing Institute and the local Māori community marked a significant step in integrating culturally significant pūrākau (ancestral stories) into te reo Māori literacy teaching for Year 1 to 3 classrooms. With a foundation in evidence-based indigenous teaching and learning practices, the research aimed to develop resources that would impact language acquisition through culture and identity. With three main objectives—developing culturally relevant pūrākau, measuring their impact on language development, and assessing their influence on students, families, and educators—the project endeavoured to craft narratives that resonated deeply with the local hapū (tribal group), nurturing children's oral language development and fostering a strong connection to Māori culture, stories, and language.
The launch event signified a milestone in the project's journey. It celebrated the release of five pūrākau in book form, released in both bilingual and Te Reo Māori versions. Subsequent pilot phases at Te Kura o Tuahiwi evaluated the efficacy of these resources in language acquisition alongside the CWRI’s Better Start literacy approach. The research employed a pre-test and post-test design to evaluate vocabulary acquisition among students through shared reading of pūrākau in Te Reo Māori and bilingual formats over a 10-week period. Additionally, ongoing dialogue with stakeholders gauged perceptions and experiences surrounding the incorporation of pūrākau into the curriculum. This project represented a concerted effort towards culturally embedded education, honouring Māori identity, language, and heritage while advancing evidence-based teaching and learning practices. Through collaborative efforts, it sought to empower Māori students, families, and educators, fostering a sense of cultural pride, belonging, and linguistic proficiency within educational contexts.
This presentation will showcase the power of community-based research partnerships in crafting culturally relevant education tailored to meet the unique needs of Indigenous learners in their classroom settings.