He Waka Eke Noa: Indigenising/Decolonising Initial and Teacher Education in Aotearoa New Zealand

This chapter discusses the redevelopment of Massey University’s initial teacher education programme in Aotearoa New Zealand intended to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi). It details indigenising/decolonising initiatives to embody Te Tiriti in the key aspects of selection, assessment, and course work to create a culturally-sustaining and inclusive kaupapa (vision). We understand indigenisation and decolonisation as complementary processes, often occurring simultaneously, which are necessary to achieve courses, programmes and institutions which honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The chapter begins by summarising the collective journey of redesigning the existing programme, from the creation of our tūāpapa (pedagogical and philosophical foundation) to the new curricula and tikanga (protocols) for course entry and delivery. It then discusses a wānanga process that indigenised selection interviews of prospective ākonga (learners), drawing from kaupapa Māori praxis and manaakitanga (ethic of care). A focus on grading or not grading of assessments follows, showing how issues about systems invoked deeper challenges implicit in indigenising and decolonising work. The final section covers initiatives to prepare teachers to implement the newly created Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories curriculum, which encourages new teachers to incorporate the mana ōrite mō te mātauranga principle (Western and Māori epistemological parity) into their practices.