Ka Tō, Ka Hua | Level 1
Sow the Language, Grow the Learning: Te Reo Māori for Educators
A practical reo Māori programme combining pronunciation, foundational language, mihi, pepeha, karakia and classroom application. Learn with Poutawa in a practical, culturally grounded programme.
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Whakamārama
Course Overview
Ka Tū, Ka Hua | Level 1 is a practical, culturally grounded learning programme designed to turn knowledge into confident and appropriate action. A practical reo Māori programme combining pronunciation, foundational language, mihi, pepeha, karakia and classroom application. Learning is carefully scaffolded so participants can build capability without being expected to know everything before they begin. The course connects te reo Māori with tikanga, identity, relationships and the real situations in which learners need to communicate, participate and lead.
Hāngaitanga
Why This Programme Matters
Teach by Learning. Grow Through Practice.
Te reo Māori gives educators an immediate and visible way to demonstrate commitment.
When teachers pronounce the names of their ākonga with care, lead karakia, greet whānau or open a staff meeting in te reo Māori, they communicate what is valued within their kura.
When they practise publicly, accept correction and continue learning despite discomfort, they model the courage, humility and persistence they want to see in others.
You do not need to be fluent before you begin. Small, informed and consistent actions can influence the culture of an entire school.
Relationships Before Resources
Culturally grounded practice cannot be achieved through programmes, signage, events or translated values alone. It requires relationships founded on trust, reciprocity, consistency and respect.
Participants examine the quality of their relationships with Māori ākonga, whānau, staff, marae, hapū, iwi and mana whenua—and consider whether those relationships are enduring and reciprocal or activated only when the school needs support.
The Kaupapa Must Not Be Carried by the Few
Within many kura, responsibility for te reo Māori, tikanga, whānau engagement and cultural events is carried by a small number of Māori staff, ākonga or whānau members.
Ka Tō, Ka Hua encourages educators to examine this cultural workload honestly and consider:
who currently carries Māori responsibilities;
whether this work is recognised and resourced;
what educators can learn and undertake themselves;
what capability can be developed across staff; and
what requires specialist knowledge or mana whenua guidance.
The intention is not to replace Māori expertise or assume cultural authority. It is to ensure Māori people are valued and supported rather than expected to carry the entire kaupapa.
From Symbolic Inclusion to Lived Practice
Many schools already use Māori names, values, whakataukī and visual symbols. This programme supports educators to look beyond visibility and ask whether the meaning behind these practices is understood.
Participants consider where knowledge has come from, whether local guidance is required, how contributors are acknowledged and whether Māori values are genuinely reflected in teaching decisions, relationships and school systems.
Whāinga Paetae
Learning Objectives
Across the programme, participants will:
strengthen pronunciation of Māori sounds, kupu, names and place names;
develop practical reo for classrooms, hui, assemblies and staff settings;
build confidence to speak, practise and lead through visible participation;
create an authentic mihi, pepeha or place-based professional introduction;
understand the purpose of karakia, mihi, pōwhiri, whakatau, waiata and koha;
explore Māori values such as whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, mana and rangatiratanga;
engage with pūrākau, whakapapa, maramataka and Māori approaches to knowledge;
strengthen relationships with Māori ākonga, whānau and mana whenua;
recognise cultural loading and support shared staff capability;
integrate te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori into curriculum practice;
distinguish personal participation from specialist cultural authority; and
identify realistic actions for sustainable change.
Putanga Ako
Learning Outcomes
By the end of Level 1, participants should be able to:
pronounce familiar Māori kupu, names and place names more accurately;
use foundational reo Māori in common teaching and professional contexts;
introduce themselves and their role appropriately;
recite and explain a karakia;
open and close a lesson, hui or learning activity;
deliver an authentic mihi, pepeha or place-based introduction;
explain the significance of identity, whakapapa, whenua and tūrangawaewae;
describe the purpose and stages of pōwhiri and whakatau;
participate more confidently within Māori cultural settings;
explain selected Māori values and concepts;
recognise meaningful integration and symbolic inclusion;
identify cultural loading within their kura;
strengthen shared responsibility and staff capability;
recognise when attribution, permission or specialist guidance is required; and
create a practical plan for continuing the learning within their kura.
The intended progression moves from foundational language confidence to cultural understanding and visible teaching application.
Huarahi Ako
How the Programme Is Delivered
Live Online Classes
Participants attend one 90-minute live online class each week for ten weeks.
Classes include:
guided pronunciation and speaking practice;
karakia, mihi and practical teaching reo;
vocabulary and sentence building;
listening, reading and collaborative activities;
discussion of tikanga and mātauranga Māori;
interactive games and digital learning;
teaching reflection and case studies; and
supported application within each participant’s kura.
The programme develops whakarongo, pānui, kōrero and tuhituhi, with a strong emphasis on confident spoken application.
Independent Learning
Between classes, participants complete short revision and speaking activities.
These may include pronunciation practice, preparing a mihi, practising reo during meetings or assemblies, investigating local names and reflecting on relationships or cultural responsibilities within the kura.
Participants are encouraged to practise for five to ten minutes on most days. Little and often is more effective than attempting a large amount of study at once.
Mahi Whakaako | Classroom Application
Each week includes a practical activity that moves learning from the online classroom into the kura.
Participants may be asked to use te reo Māori in a regular teaching context, review the pronunciation of names, examine cultural responsibilities, explore a local curriculum opportunity or identify one school practice that could be strengthened.
The focus is on achievable action, honest reflection and consistent progress—not immediate perfection.
Te Wā Tuku
Delivery Information
Programme duration: Ten weeks
Class duration: 90 minutes per week
Delivery mode: Live online learning
Stream One
Day: [Insert day]
Time: [Insert time]
First class: [Insert date]
Final class: [Insert date]
Stream Two
Day: [Insert day]
Time: [Insert time]
First class: [Insert date]
Final class: [Insert date]
Participants enrol in one stream and are encouraged to attend consistently. Where space permits, participants may join the alternative stream if they cannot attend their usual class.
Ngā Pūkenga
Meet the Facilitators
Genae Thompson | Kaiako and Programme Designer
Genae is an experienced te reo Māori educator, curriculum designer and cultural capability facilitator with a background in secondary teaching, adult education and professional learning.
Her approach combines clear language teaching with practical application, cultural knowledge and critical reflection. She creates supportive learning environments where adults can ask questions, make mistakes and build genuine confidence.
Tahauariki Thompson | Kaiako and Facilitator
Tahauariki brings a relational, engaging and practical approach to reo Māori learning.
Through kōrero, humour, cultural insight and active participation, he supports learners to move from theoretical understanding into confident spoken application while remaining grounded in the tikanga and relationships carried through the language.
ka-tu-ka-hua-level-1
Ngā Uara me te Aronga
Our Foundations and Values
Our values guide how we teach, how we design learning, how we build relationships and how we care for the knowledge entrusted to us.
Whakapono
Belief, Purpose and Potential
We believe in the transformative power of te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori.
We recognise the potential within every learner and create environments where people feel supported to participate, take risks and grow in confidence. We approach our work with optimism, purpose and an enduring belief in the future of the language.
Tuakiritanga
Identity and Belonging
Language strengthens identity, connection and belonging.
We create learning experiences that affirm Māori identity and help learners understand the relationships between language, whakapapa, culture and place. We honour the different experiences people bring while maintaining a clear commitment to the mana and integrity of te ao Māori.
Manaakitanga
Care, Respect and Responsibility
We treat people, language and mātauranga with care.
Our programmes are designed to be welcoming, uplifting and culturally safe, while encouraging learners to engage thoughtfully and responsibly. We recognise our duty to protect the knowledge shared through our work and to honour the people, communities and traditions from which it comes.
Rangatiratanga
Confidence, Agency and Leadership
We equip people with the knowledge and confidence to take meaningful action.
Our goal is to develop capable communicators, culturally grounded practitioners and responsible advocates who can contribute to the visibility, vitality and intergenerational transmission of te reo Māori.