Poipoia te Kākano
Te Reo Māori for Early Childhood
A practical, play-based programme supporting early childhood kaiako to integrate te reo Māori and tikanga into everyday practice.
Poipoia te Kākano is a te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori programme designed specifically for early childhood educators, recognising the critical role kaiako play in shaping children’s identity, language development, and sense of belonging. Grounded in the principles of Te Whāriki, the programme supports kaiako to integrate te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, and mātauranga Māori into everyday practice in ways that are natural, developmentally appropriate, and meaningful.
Through a flexible, self-directed learning approach, participants build confidence using te reo Māori in daily routines, play-based learning, and care moments, while developing a deeper understanding of Māori values, worldview, and cultural practices. The programme emphasises learning alongside tamariki, encouraging kaiako to model curiosity, confidence, and respect for te reo Māori without the pressure of needing to be fluent.
With a strong focus on practical application, Poipoia te Kākano supports educators to create language-rich environments, strengthen relationships with whānau, and embed culturally responsive practice across their centre. The result is sustainable, meaningful integration of language and culture that supports the wellbeing and identity of all learners.
Audience
Early childhood kaiako, teacher aides, learning support staff, and centre-wide teams
Focus Areas
Te Reo Māori, Tikanga Māori, Mātauranga Māori, and Early Childhood Practice
Duration
10 weeks
Delivery Mode
Online facilitated option as well as Self-directed (approx. 2 hours per week) with optional facilitated support
Learning Outcomes
Use te reo Māori naturally within everyday ECE routines and interactions
Develop confidence in pronunciation and simple sentence structures
Integrate waiata, kēmu, and play-based language learning approaches
Apply tikanga Māori in ways that are authentic and developmentally appropriate
Use karakia to support daily rhythms, transitions, and wellbeing
Embed Māori values such as manaakitanga and whanaungatanga in practice
Design and create culturally grounded resources for their learning environment
Build language-rich, inclusive spaces that support identity and belonging
Strengthen relationships with tamariki, whānau, and community
Develop sustainable approaches to ongoing reo Māori learning