Help to consider teaching

Face-to-face advice

For Māori there are several options for getting face-to-face advice, depending upon the teaching sector you are interested in.

• Pouwhakataki (Māori community liaison officers) 
  Pouwhakataki are contracted by the Ministry of Education to encourage Māori into early childhood, primary and secondary teaching.  There are more than 20 Pouwhakataki based in various locations throughout New Zealand.  They work face-to-face with Māori and educators helping to build relationships.  If you are Māori and would like more information on becoming a teacher, click on the above link to find out who in your local area can advise you.  Pouwhakataki have a huge array of education information and contacts to help whānau, hapū and iwi get the most out of education whether they're a parent, student, second chance learner or teacher.  Using the Te Mana resources for events and hui, they are also able to inspire and encourage whānau and the community to `get there with learning'.
• Ministry of Education's Early Childhood Teacher Supply Team 
   If you are considering a career in early childhood education, know someone who is, or have an interest in the recruitment of teachers, the Ministry's Early Childhood Teacher Supply Team can offer help and advice.      
• Māori liaison officers at teacher education providers.
  These days most tertiary institutions including teacher education providers, employ Māori liaison officers to help with course selection and ongoing support during your programme of study. Before enrolling, check out the Māori support available at your provider.

Māori immersion curriculum

The idea of a Māori immersion curriculum has grown and been nurtured through kohanga reo. It is now established for school-age Māori children in kura kaupapa Māori (Māori language immersion) schools and in bilingual units and classes.

Te Whäriki, the early childhood curriculum provides an identifiable Māori curriculum that protects Māori language and tikanga, Māori pedagogy, and the transmitting of Māori knowledge, skills and attitude through using Māori language.

Maori focused teaching qualifications

For Māori school leavers interested in teaching in early childhood, primary or secondary education, there are many teacher education options available throughout the country to suit individual lifestyles and commitments.

Māori considering becoming an early childhood teacher now have options to study a Māori-focused ECE teaching qualification.  There are also many Māori primary teaching qualification options to choose from to either teach in a bilingual or full immersion setting.

For secondary teaching, a subject specialist degree is required plus a teaching qualification.

To view the ECE, primary and secondary teaching qualifications and providers see below.