Marae ā-kura: Tracing the birth of marae in schools

Abstract

Marae a-kura (school marae) have been part of the New Zealand educational landscape for nearly 30 years. Marae a-kura began amidst the wider kaupapa of cultural regeneration; they are also a response to state school policies of assimilation, integration and Taha Māori. Marae a-kura represent the aspirations of Māori as well as the Government's aspirations for Māori. This article considers two strands in the whakapapa of marae a-kura: a Māori-led initiative to revitalise Māori language and culture in schools; and the Government's selective inclusion of Māori culture in the curriculum. Marae a-kura provide a context to not only teach Māori, but to learn as Māori.

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Citation
Lee, J. B. J. (2012). Marae ā-kura: Tracing the birth of marae in schools. Set: Research Information for Teachers, 2, 3–11. https://doi.org/10.18296/set.0375
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