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Understanding the pedagogy of school-based marae: A culturally responsive learning context in secondary schools

Funding year: 
2010
Duration:
2 years
Organisation: 
Rautaki Ltd
Sector: 
School sector
Project start date: 
January 2010
Project end date: 
June 2012
Principal investigator(s): 
Dr. Jenny Lee
Research team members: 
Lisa Smith, Dr Leonie Pihama
Research partners: 
Nga Oho Marae, Western Springs College; Te Pou Herenga Waka Marae, James Cook High School; Te Mahanahana Marae, Massey High School

Project Description

Marae-ā-kura (school-based marae) have been part of the secondary school landscape since 1978. Today there are approximately 99 marae in state secondary schools in New Zealand (Ministry of Education, 2008).1 Although marae-ā-kura are officially endorsed by the Ministry of Education (2000) to better engage with Māori parents, whānau and communities, there is little research on the way marae-ā-kura operate, their pedagogical practices and their effect on Māori student outcomes.

This two-year research project investigated the role of marae-ā-kura as culturally determined spaces in mainstream secondary schools. It involved the participation of students, teachers, principals, whānau and community representatives of three urban marae-ā-kura within the Auckland region. The study examined the pedagogy of marae-ā-kura and their effect on the educational achievement, including the cultural well-being, of Māori learners and their whānau.

With a marae in the school, we’re not afraid to be Māori. (Year 11 student)

Ko te kaupapa matua mōku ake kia noho Māori tātou ia rā, ia rā i roto i tō tātou kura, mā te marae tērā. Mā
te marae, mā te whare e whakapai i tērā i waenga i a tātou ia rā (Kaiako). For me, the main purpose is to
remain as Māori everyday in our school, through the marae. It is the marae and the whare that enables us
to do that everyday. (Teacher)

Project Contact

Dr Jenny Bol Jun Lee
Director, Rautaki Ltd
PO Box 14779, Point Chevalier.
1/338 Point Chevalier Rd,
Point Chevalier, Auckland 2011.
Email: jenny@rautaki.co.nz

 

 

 

 

Project Outputs

2011

Presentations, conferences and workshops

Lee, J., Pihama, L., Hohepa, M & L. Smith. ‘Challenging notions of responsiveness, leadership and effectiveness in education’.  Symposium presented at the NZARE Conference, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Tauranga. 

2010

Publications

Lee, J. (2016). Marae-ā-kura: A culturally specific decolonising strategy. In J. Hutchings & J. Lee (Eds.), Decolonisation in Aotearoa: Education, research and practice, Wellington: NZCER Press.

Lee, J. BJ. (2013) Marae a-kura: Tracing the birth of marae in schools. Set: Research Information for Teachers, 2, 3-11. Retrieved from http://www.nzcer.org.nz/nzcerpress/set/articles/marae- kura-tracing-birth-marae-schools

Lee, Jenny & C. Selwyn. (2010) Oho ake: Rehu Marae, Nga Puna o Waiōrea. Auckland: Rautaki Ltd.

Presentations, conferences and workshops

Lee, J.  Invited Keynote speaker ‘Marae-a-kura’ Maori Teachers’ Conference, PPTA, Rotorua.  3 July 2013

Lee, J. More than role models: Māori teachers as cultural workers. The 6th International Conference on Indigenous Education: Pacific Rim, Cairns, 18 December 2010.

Presentation and Book Launch at Rehu Marae’s 21 year celebration, Nga Puna o Waiorea, Western Springs College, December 2010.

Lee, J., Smith, L. &  C. Selwyn.  ‘School Marae: Charting Māori educational aspirations in secondary schools’. Paper presented at the NZARE Conference, University of Auckland. 9 December, 2010.

Lee, J., Pihama, P., & L. Smith.  ‘Inside the school stands a marae: Creating cultural space in the mainstream’. Paper presented at the Ngā Pae o te Maramatanga, 4th International Indigenous Traditional Knowledge Conference, The University of Auckland. 6 June, 2010.