The Mana Model: Optimizing School Practices for Māori Student Thriving

• In Event: Education Research in Search of Indigenous Truths: Education Policy, Teacher Education, and Schooling

Abstract

The Mana model is a powerful tool for conceptualising the holistic wellbeing and educational thriving of Māori students at school from the perspective of students, families, communities, teachers, and school leaders. The model is derived from the results from two large educational studies based in Aotearoa New Zealand. Five optimal conditions for Māori student thriving have been identified, including mana whanau (connectedness to others and collective agency); mana ūkaipō (belonging and relationship to place); mana motuhake (embedded achievement and self-concept); mana tū (social psychological competence); mana tangatarua (a diverse knowledge base and skill set). The framework aligns with other research about how schools and teachers can best support Indigenous students to thrive at school

Author

• Melinda Webber, University of Auckland
  Presenting Author