About Māori-medium and Kaupapa Māori review reports
ERO reports help whānau, ākonga and kura understand what is happening for ākonga Māori. They provide an independent view of how well tamariki, and rangatahi are being supported to learn, grow and thrive, including areas of effective practice, challenges and priorities for improvement.
After a review, ERO publishes a report that shares what we found about the quality of education and outcomes for ākonga in Māori-medium and kaupapa Māori kura. These reports provide valuable information for whānau, hapū, iwi, communities and kura leaders, describing what matters most for learner success, including identity, language and culture, te reo Māori, teaching and learning, leadership, governance, wellbeing, progress and achievement.
Reports may highlight strengths, identify challenges, and outline areas for further improvement. ERO typically reviews kura across Aotearoa approximately every three years and publishes review reports on its website following each review.
What is the same in each report, and what is different?
Every kura has its own history, identity, philosophy, aspirations and ways of working. ERO reviews of kaupapa Māori and Māori medium kura reflect the philosophies of these settings and the agreed approaches for reviewing in these spaces.
This means the structure, language, and focus of reports may differ between settings.
Across each report you will find:
Introduction: explains ERO’s role, the purpose of the review and how ERO works with whānau, leaders, kaimahi and communities to develop evaluation insights that support accountability and improvement.
Context: introduces the kura including its history, location, philosophy, special character, community and the learners it serves.
Evaluation focus: sets out the central question or priority explored during the review. This focus reflects what matters for learners and the setting’s context and aspirations.
Findings: describes the key things ERO wants learners, whānau and the kura to know about the quality of education and outcomes for learners. Findings may highlight effective practice, identify challenges, or describe areas where further development is needed.
Key next steps: identifies the areas leaders, kaimahi or governance should focus on to build upon practice to sustain or improve outcomes for ākonga.
Assurance on legal requirements: explains the legal and operational requirements that leaders or governance groups have attested to meeting, and any areas checked by ERO because of their potential impact on learners.
Recommendation: sets out any action ERO recommends supporting improvement and strengthen outcomes for learners.
The findings may cover:
teaching and learning
leadership and governance
identity, language and culture
te reo Māori
connections to whānau, hapū and iwi
mātauranga Māori
learner progress, achievement, and wellbeing.
Reports available in te reo Māori and English
Reports for Māori-medium and kaupapa Māori kura are available in both te reo Māori and English. This allows whānau, hapū, iwi, communities and education professionals to access and engage with ERO’s findings in the language that best meets their needs.
How does ERO evaluate quality?
ERO considers a range of information to develop an overall picture of quality and outcomes for ākonga Māori. Depending on the setting and review approach, this may include:
observations of teaching, learning and everyday practice
conversations with leaders, kaimahi, kaiako, learners and whānau
information and evidence provided by the kura
evidence of learners’ progress, achievement, development and wellbeing
internal evaluation, planning and improvement activity
governance, leadership, systems and management practices.
Reading, and using the report
For parents and whānau
An ERO report can help you understand how well the kura is supporting your child and other ākonga to learn, grow and succeed. It describes what ERO found about the quality of education, learner wellbeing, and how effectively the kura supports identity, language and culture, including the development and use of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori.
The report also provides insights into how the kura works in partnership with whānau, hapū and iwi, the strengths that are contributing to positive outcomes for learners, and any challenges or areas where further improvement is needed. By reading the report, whānau can gain a better understanding of what is working well, what priorities the kura is focusing on, and how it intends to continue improving outcomes for current and future generations of learners.
Whānau tip: If anything in a report is unclear, talk with the leaders of your kura about what the findings mean for learners, what will happen next and how whānau can be involved.
For kaiako, kaiawhina, Tumuaki and leaders
The report provides an opportunity to reflect on the effectiveness of your practice and the outcomes being achieved for learners. It describes ERO’s evaluation of how well the kura is supporting learners to develop their identity, language, culture and sense of belonging, as well as the quality and impact of teaching, learning, leadership and governance.
The report can be used to identify areas of effective practice, understand the factors influencing learner outcomes, and consider how well partnerships with whānau, hapū and iwi are supporting success. It also highlights challenges, areas for development and priorities for improvement, helping leaders and kaimahi determine the next actions needed to strengthen outcomes for learners and sustain ongoing improvement.
Kura tip: review reports become an artifact of the review, but many kura find the review process as valuable to reflect upon after ERO leaves. You may want to consider the report alongside synthesis, and the whānau hui notes when planning for what's next.