He Māori Ahau: Challenging Dominant Notions of Leadership, Responsiveness, and Effectiveness in Education

Session Submission Type: Invited Session

Abstract

This symposium will provide a Kaupapa Māori critique and analysis of dominant discourses that frame notions of educational leadership, cultural responsiveness and teacher effectiveness in education in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is argued that, whilst definitions of these notions provide some useful elements, when the dominant constructions of such notions remain monocultural they deny the role of Indigenous knowledge and approaches in relation to the Māori Educational achievement and success.

Notions of educational leadership, cultural responsiveness and teacher effectiveness are all highly utilised within education globally. Within Aotearoa New Zealand these concepts and practices have become increasingly significant in regards to educational priorities, and as such have become dominant discourses in what constitutes successful leaders, teaching approaches and teachers. However there is limited evidence that these definitions have been, or can be, translated into what constitutes success for indigenous peoples. There is literature that indicates dominant western definitions do not account or provide for the depth of knowledge and the specific approaches that Indigenous educators can bring to play within each of these fields. As such this symposium panel will bring to the table a specifically Kaupapa Māori critique of educational frameworks that currently frame much of the educational policy impacting directly upon Māori educational experiences and initiatives.

Sub Unit

• New Zealand Association for Research in Education - NZARE

Chair

• Linda T. Smith, The University of Waikato

Papers

• Kaupapa Māori: An Overview of Key Elements - Leonie Pihama, MAIA Ltd. /University of Waikato

• Māori Educational Leadership: New Dawn or Continued Capture? - Margie Kahukura Hohepa, The University of Waikato

• Ako: From Effective Teaching to Affective Māori Teachers - Jenny Bol Jun Lee, The University of Auckland

• A New Dawn: Responding to and Realizing Māori Potential - Lisa Jane Smith, The University of Auckland

Discussant

• Margaret J. Maaka, University of Hawaii - Manoa