This paper aims to develop awareness of the importance of te reo and tikanga Māori within schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. Students will be required to provide evidence of their te reo and tikanga Māori development and implementation within their developing teaching practice. Students will further explore their role as an agent of change as a way to firstly understand their own cultural identities and how to meet the distinct cultural identities of school children in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Professional requirements

On graduation from an Initial Teacher Education Programme the provider must attest to The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand | Matatū Aotearoa that you are a person:

• of good character
• are fit to be a teacher
• have met the Standards for the teaching profession.

A student who has not met these criteria based on evidence collected as they engage in paper across the ITE programme cannot graduate. Indicators that you are of good character and fit to teach includes: regular and punctual attendance and positive contribution in class; the ability to relate to peers, children, teachers, and university staff appropriately; and the ability to plan for a safe high-quality teaching and learning environment. At the completion of each paper the lecturer is asked to attest to the Programme Leader that you have displayed the attributes required of an effective teacher.

These expectations reflect the Teachers Council document entitled Our Code Our Standards: Code of Professional Responsibility and Standards for the Teaching Profession (Code of Professional Responsibility and Standards).