Over 1,700 teachers will meet at Mercury BayPark on Monday to introduce the new Māori local curriculum. This curriculum, named Te Tai Whanake ki Tauranga Moana Te Ao Māori, was created with the cooperation of Ngāti Ranginui Iwi, Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi, and Ngāti Pukenga Iwi, along with Tauranga Moana schools.
Key officials, including Education Minister Jan Tinetti, will attend. This event is special as it replaces the usual November curriculum day for New Zealand schools.
Henk Popping, principal of Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School, stressed that the curriculum is unique. It is led by local tribal groups, not just schools or the education department. It caters to all teaching types, from standard to Māori Immersion, and is tailored to different areas in Tauranga Moana.
The project received financial support from TECT and Bay Trust. It needed detailed planning and a new website. At the event, each tribal group will guide teachers on using the online curriculum.
The digital curriculum is expected to benefit both current and future students, the local community, and visitors to Tauranga Moana.
