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The term Kaupapa Maori captures Maori desires to affirm Maori cultural philosophies and practices. In short Kaupapa Maori is about being ' fully" Maori.' These desires have only rarely been recognized by the mainstream education system that has at various times sought to "civilize," "assimilate," and "integrate" Maori. The struggle by Maori for control over how Maori children and young people are educated has led to the establishment of Kau papa Maori education initiatives across all educational levels. These initiatives are exemplary in that they reflect Maori aspirations and continue to produce bicultural, bilingual, confident, and well-educated Maori. This article outlines the key elements underpinning these initiatives largely through an exploration of the writings that have emerged from Maori education staff and students at the University of Auckland. A self-determination, anti-colonial education agenda emerges that is firmly based in Maori language and cultural ways of being.
A glossary of Maori words and expressions appears at the end of this article.
Kaupapa Maori Education
In Aotearoa/New Zealand, Indigenous Maori education initiatives span all levels of eduction from preschool to tertiary. The essence of these Kaupapa Maori initiatives is the desire of Maori to be Maori. This has led to the creation of Maori-controlled, Maori language-medium education in which children and young people can be immersed in Maori culture and know that being Maori is the norm. This is the core of Kaupapa Maori: the affirmation and legitimation of being Maori.
Developing and sustaining Maori education systems in a colonized society has not been without struggle. The mere existence of these initiatives can be described as a success story. In addition, many Kura Kaupapa MAori claim low levels of truancy, few behavioral issues, and high levels of whanau support and involvement (Maori Education Commission, 1998). On top of this, the creation of an education system that produces confident, bilingual, bicultural young Maori (as well as a few who are not Maori) makes Kaupapa Maori education exemplary.
This article explores Kaupapa Maori education, mainly through the writings and research of staff and students in Maori Education at the University of Auckland. Under the mentorship of Linda and Graham Smith, the academic work of this group has contributed to the ongoing praxis of Kaupapa Maori. The...