INTEGRATION OF CROSS-CULTURAL STUDIES IN CURRICULUM – TE WĀNANGA O AOTEAROA AN EXEMPLAR OF BICULTURALISM IN PRACTICE

If you play a piano with just the black keys, it just doesn’t sound right likewise if you play a piano with just the white keys something is missing. Whereas playing the black and white keys together creates harmony. This is the uniqueness of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa where the integration of cross cultural studies in curriculum reflects Biculturalism in Practice. Where two distinctly different world views Te Ao Māori, the voice of the indigenous and Te Ao Pākeha the voice of the European are intertwined to holistically support the diversities of the multi-cultural peoples of New Zealand in their pursuit of higher education.
An indigenous perspective and world view where sharing wisdoms and stories through symbolisms, legends, myths and culture becomes part of the educational journey with our students. Undoubtedly when we exchange and share knowledge we become related. The uniqueness of our curriculum is emanated through the teaching philosophy of AKO reciprocal teaching and learning.
If you were to ask what is the greatest thing in the world? Some would say it is people! It is people! Whereas I was bought up with the belief it is baking powder! It is baking powder! Baking powder the agent responsible for a reaction; it causes things to rise, therefore an essential ingredient for transformation. By holistically supporting our students as reflective informative practitioners, being the agent, the baking powder to support transformation and learning.