The Ministry of Education has developed a new resource to help teachers better understand the identity, language and culture of their Maori students, whanau and the wider Maori community.
Entitled Tataiako, the resource challenges and encourages teachers to examine how their own culture has shaped them - and to recognise the importance of understanding Maori distinctiveness.
The resource also sets out the importance of helping Maori students achieve academically.
The resource is not compulsory and does not require teachers to learn te reo or tikanga.
However, the Associate Minister of Education, Pita Sharples, says every school and early child education centre should be meeting the needs of their Māori students.
