11 Pathways for Maori Education - Maori Centred Pathways

There is no single route that will satisfy the wide range of Māori educational needs. But all educational pathways should be able to incorporate the three principles of best outcomes, integrated action, and indigeneity, and work towards similar broad goals. Some pathways will be able to give greater emphasis to a particular goal but should not ignore the other goals. Of three possible pathways a Māori centred pathway is one that is largely under Māori direction and has an obvious focus on the goal of increasing access to te ao Māori. Kohanga Reo, and Iwi Wānanga are examples.

The extent to which those organisations and similar bodies are under Māori control varies. While the Board of Management or the Runanga may be entirely Māori there is usually a requirement to conform to national standards and in that sense the broader parameters of control are designed by the State. But there is also a well earned sense of Māori ownership and in the long run that may be the most important consideration. In any event although the Māori centred pathway is relatively new in the eyes of the State, dating back to 1983, it is expanding rapidly, and has reinvigorated Māori enthusiasm for education. Sometimes the goal is primarily about Māori language revitalisation - a goal that is not identical to the goals of education, even though there is a large overlap. As well, Māori centred pathways are often, though not invariably, more closely linked to Māori communities and share similar aspirations; so in that respect they tend to be aligned with the broader goals of Māori development as much as to the goals of the education sector.