Ūangarau: Uncovering Levers for Transformational Change Through Education
Tracks
Bilby Room: In-Person Only
| Monday, October 20, 2025 |
| 11:25 AM - 12:25 PM |
| Bilby Room (M1&2) |
Overview
Hana Tapiata & Maxine Graham, Mātauranga Iwi Leaders Group
Presenter
Maxine Graham
Lead Technician
Mātauranga Iwi Leaders Group
Ūangarau: Uncovering Levers for Transformational Change Through Education
Presentation Overview
Tiria ko te mātauranga hei tikitiki mo te mahunga! Let education and ancestral knowledge adorn your sacred topknot. For iwi across Aotearoa, education is not just about achievement, but about restoring tino rangatiratanga, cultural identity, and collective wellbeing. This presentation explores the current education landscape through an iwi, hapū and whānau lens, critically examining the systems, policies, and power structures that shape Māori experiences and outcomes in education today.
Drawing from recent data, policy analysis, and lived experience, we map the complex web of government, legislation, and educational institutions that influence iwi engagement. We highlight where the system falls short—particularly in honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, enabling localised decision-making, and recognising iwi as kaitiaki and active designers and decision makers of their own educational futures.
This session identifies key levers for transformational change, including iwi-led education strategies, partnerships with whānau, and systemic reforms that embed mātauranga Māori and Indigenous values. It will spotlight innovative examples where iwi have asserted leadership in education, enabling culturally grounded, intergenerational impact.
Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how education can serve as a platform for iwi aspirations when power is shared, voices are heard, and Indigenous models of wellbeing are centred.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Importance of knowing your pepeha, connection to place in the landscape
2. Identifying levers for transformational change
3. Iwi-led solutions for, by and in service of iwi
Drawing from recent data, policy analysis, and lived experience, we map the complex web of government, legislation, and educational institutions that influence iwi engagement. We highlight where the system falls short—particularly in honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, enabling localised decision-making, and recognising iwi as kaitiaki and active designers and decision makers of their own educational futures.
This session identifies key levers for transformational change, including iwi-led education strategies, partnerships with whānau, and systemic reforms that embed mātauranga Māori and Indigenous values. It will spotlight innovative examples where iwi have asserted leadership in education, enabling culturally grounded, intergenerational impact.
Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how education can serve as a platform for iwi aspirations when power is shared, voices are heard, and Indigenous models of wellbeing are centred.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Importance of knowing your pepeha, connection to place in the landscape
2. Identifying levers for transformational change
3. Iwi-led solutions for, by and in service of iwi
Biography
Bio not provided
Hana Tapiata
Technician
Mātauranga Iwi Leaders Group
Ūangarau: Uncovering Levers for Transformational Change Through Education
Presentation Overview
Tiria ko te mātauranga hei tikitiki mo te mahunga! Let education and ancestral knowledge adorn your sacred topknot. For iwi across Aotearoa, education is not just about achievement, but about restoring tino rangatiratanga, cultural identity, and collective wellbeing. This presentation explores the current education landscape through an iwi, hapū and whānau lens, critically examining the systems, policies, and power structures that shape Māori experiences and outcomes in education today.
Drawing from recent data, policy analysis, and lived experience, we map the complex web of government, legislation, and educational institutions that influence iwi engagement. We highlight where the system falls short—particularly in honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, enabling localised decision-making, and recognising iwi as kaitiaki and active designers and decision makers of their own educational futures.
This session identifies key levers for transformational change, including iwi-led education strategies, partnerships with whānau, and systemic reforms that embed mātauranga Māori and Indigenous values. It will spotlight innovative examples where iwi have asserted leadership in education, enabling culturally grounded, intergenerational impact.
Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how education can serve as a platform for iwi aspirations when power is shared, voices are heard, and Indigenous models of wellbeing are centred.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Importance of knowing your pepeha, connection to place in the landscape
2. Identifying levers for transformational change
3. Iwi-led solutions for, by and in service of iwi
Drawing from recent data, policy analysis, and lived experience, we map the complex web of government, legislation, and educational institutions that influence iwi engagement. We highlight where the system falls short—particularly in honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, enabling localised decision-making, and recognising iwi as kaitiaki and active designers and decision makers of their own educational futures.
This session identifies key levers for transformational change, including iwi-led education strategies, partnerships with whānau, and systemic reforms that embed mātauranga Māori and Indigenous values. It will spotlight innovative examples where iwi have asserted leadership in education, enabling culturally grounded, intergenerational impact.
Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how education can serve as a platform for iwi aspirations when power is shared, voices are heard, and Indigenous models of wellbeing are centred.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Importance of knowing your pepeha, connection to place in the landscape
2. Identifying levers for transformational change
3. Iwi-led solutions for, by and in service of iwi
Biography
He uri tēnei nō Tūhourangi me Ngāti Tarāwhai. Hana is a specialist in interpreting and exploring tupuna mātauranga, Māori ancestral knowledge, to reimagine models of empowerment, wellbeing, transformation and connection in every day life.
Hana is driven by a deep sense of commitment to giving back to the sources that have nourished her, including Kohanga Reo and Te Aho Matua by facilitating spaces for wānanga, sharing story and knowledge. Through her work, Hana fosters a sense of collective responsibility for transformative change by utilising pūrākau (traditional stories) as resistance, for cultural resurgence and self-determination.
