Dr Matiu Tai Ratima

Dr Rātima has worked as a Kaiako reo Māori language teacher at Waipapa Taumata Rau The University of Auckland and Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makaurau and is also a certified translator and interpreter. In 2009 he received an Ako Aotearoa PhD Scholarship to carry out his PhD research at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato University of Waikato. He was awarded a Fulbright-Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Scholar Award in 2016 to conduct research at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. In 2022, he was part of a small team to receive the University of Canterbury Innovation Medal in recognition of translation of research into practice with the development of a series of culturally responsive guidebooks for teachers in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The predominance of Pākehā cultural and social norms has marginalised and excluded Māori language, culture and mātauranga knowledge within the education system. Dr Ratima’s research will develop a programme that extends on his work and others' in the rapidly advancing field of culturally responsive teaching. Specifically, he will build upon the theoretical and practical work of the Hikairo series of guidebooks for kaiako teachers and Ngā Hau e Whā for tertiary teachers. By repositioning mātauranga in our education system, Dr Rātima aims to facilitate a more inclusive, culturally safe approach to education based on core values of whakawhanaungatanga relationships, kotahitanga unity, manaakitanga care, rangatiratanga student agency and oranga wellbeing. This, Dr Rātima contends, will contribute to a more inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand where all learners can enjoy opportunities to fulfil their potential, prosper and participate in the social, economic, political and cultural life of their communities and nation.