Hua o te Kawariki – Ngāti Whātua Curriculum

About this research

PhD Candidate: Waratah Mihiwira Taogaga (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Barkindji (NSW), Ngāti Hāmoa.)

Primary Supervisor(s): Professor Melinda Webber, University of Auckland

Summary 

‘Hua o te Kawariki’ contributes a unique Ngāti Whātua melody to the wider orchestra of iwi curriculum research in the 21st Century.  The intention of this thesis is not to create a curriculum document, however, is an exploration of Ngāti Whātua mātauranga that could underpin teaching, learning and leading. I intend to partake in wānanga with multiple Ngāti Whātua mātanga to identify integral knowledge that should be instilled within the coming generations of Ngāti Whātua, transmitted through kura - vessels of learning. The collation and analysis of kōrero will contribute toward the establishment of Te Kura o Ngāti Whātua ki Tāmaki (working title) and furthermore, the establishment of an aspirated eco-system of Ngāti Whātua kura. Other relating questions include: What are Ngāti Whātua pedagogies? What parts of Ngāti Whātua identity could be strengthened? What is the disposition of a Ngāti Whātua curriculum?

This research is guided by the famous mōteatea ‘He aha te hau’ – originally a prophecy foretold by rangatira Tītahi. To explore He aha te hau, is to honour Ngāti Whātua and the power of unique tribal visioning - to attune today’s research mantra to the intonations of ancient.