Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Toka Āhuru

1 He Kupu Arataki

Kua mahi ngātahi Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga, ngā whānau, ngā kaiārahi, ngā kaimahi me ngā hapori ki te whakawhanake i ngā tirohanga aromātai e whai wāhi nui ai ki te hāpai i te kawenga takohanga me te whakapaitanga, ki te tautuhi i te ahu whakamua, ā, ki te whakapakari ake hoki i te āheinga ki te aromātai. Ka whakarato ngā pūrongo a Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga i ngā mōhiohio mātuatua mā ngā hapū me ngā iwi.

2 Te Horopaki

E tū ana Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Toka Āhuru ki Porirua. Whai muri i te pūrongo o mua a Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga i te tau 2021, kua mahi ngātahi te whānau ki te whakapakari ake i tō rātou āheinga ki te whakahaere i ngā whakaritenga me te whakatairanga i ngā putanga papai mō ngā mokopuna.  

3 Te Aronga o te Aromātai

He pēhea rawa te whakapuaki mai a ngā mokopuna i tō rātou māramatanga ki te reo Māori?

E whanake ana ngā mokopuna ki te kōrero i te reo Māori.

4 Ngā Whakaaturanga

Ka noho mātua rā te reo Māori ki te taiao ako o ngā mokopuna. E ū ana te whānau ki te whakarauoratanga o te reo Māori, ā, he kaupapa matua tēnei ki te mahere rautaki. He matatau ngā kaimahi ki te reo Māori, ā, ka tū rātou hei tino tauira o te reo. Ka toro atu rātou ki ngā huarahi e hāpai ai i ngā mokopuna ki te whakapakari ake i tō rātou māramatanga me tā rātou whakamahinga i te reo Māori. Ko ētahi o aua rautaki, ko ngā whakawhitinga kōrero, ngā pātai, te whāngai kupu, me ngā tohutohu. Ka hāpai ngā karakia, ngā mihimihi, me ngā waiata i te whakawhanaketanga o ngā mokopuna i ngā hanganga reo e tika ana. He ngākau titikaha ō ngā tuākana ki te whakamahi i te reo Māori e mōhio ana rātou. Ka taea e rātou ngā whakawhitinga kōrero te whakapuaki ki te taha o ngā kaimahi me ō rātou hoa. Ka whakapuakihia e ngā tēina me ngā pēpi tō rātou māramatanga ki te reo Māori mā ngā huarahi maha. Kei te mauritau ngā mokopuna, ā, ka kitea tō rātou ngākau titikaha ki te whakamahi i te reo Māori.

Ka whakarato ngā kaimahi i ngā whai wāhitanga ako me ngā wheako ako e noho pārekareka ana ki ngā mokopuna. Kua whakatakotohia ngā wāhi mō ngā tuākana, ngā tēina, me ngā pēpi, kia āhei ai rātou ki te tūhura i te wāhi e whai pānga ana ki ō rātou rōpū reanga. Ka aro nui ngā kaimahi ki ngā mokopuna mā te atawhai me te manaaki. Kua āta whakaritea ngā wāhi ako katoa, he nui ngā rauemi, he muramura, ā, e whakatairanga ana i te tākaro, te pākiki, me te auaha o ngā mokopuna.

Ko te whanaungatanga kei te pūtake o ngā mahi a ngā kaimahi, i a rātou e whakamahere ana i te hōtaka akoranga, e aroturuki ana i te ako a ngā mokopuna. E whai kiko ana ngā mahere, ā, e hāngai ana ki Te Whāriki a Te Kōhanga Reo. Ka whai wāhi atu, ko ngā mahere ā-tau, ā-wāhanga, ā-wiki hoki, ā, ka ārahi i ngā kaimahi ki te āta whakatau i te whai aronga me te whai pūtaketanga o te hōtaka. Ka whakamahi ngā kaimahi i te tangongitanga o ngā rautaki e whakatakoto ana i ngā akoranga me ngā whakawhanaketanga. Ka whakaatuhia ngā mātai mokopuna me ngā pūkete a ia tamaiti, ā, ka hāngai ngā mōhiohio ki te huarahi ako o ia mokopuna. Ka whai wāhi atu ngā mokopuna ki ngā akoranga e poipoi ana, e whāngai ana hoki i te mātauranga Māori.

E whakahaere ana te whānau i te nuinga o ngā wāhanga o ngā mahi whakahaere ki te kōhanga reo. E whakatakoto ana te tūtohinga i te aronga nahanaha me te huarahi mō te whānau, ā, kua pou herea ki ngā mātāpono o Te Korowai. He kaha te taetae atu ki ngā hui ā-whānau, ā, he nui ngā mōhiohio ki ngā meneti matawhānui. Ka kitea ngā pūrongo e pā ana ki te whakahaeretanga o te tari me te kōhanga reo, ā, ka whakawhārikihia i ia te wā ki ngā hui o ia marama. Kua whakatakotohia ngā kaupapa here me ngā tukanga e pā ana ki te hauora, te haumaru, me te whakahaeretanga o ngā kaimahi, ā, kua tuhia hoki ngā rēhita. Ka āta whakatau aua tūāhuatanga i te aronga matua ki te hauora, te haumaru, me te waiora o ngā mokopuna. Kei te mahere rautaki hukihuki te tirohanga me ngā wawata o te whānau mō ā rātou mokopuna. Kua āta kapo atu te whānau i ngā kaupapa matua me ngā whāinga, hei āta whakatau i te rōnakitanga mō meāke nei. Ko te ako a ngā mokopuna, ko tō rātou waiora hoki, te aronga o te whakariterite ngātahi a te whānau.

Ngā Whakaritenga Matua ka whai ake 

Ka taea te ako a ngā mokopuna te whakatairanga ake mā te aromātai hōtaka. He mea nui kia tuhi haere ngā kaimahi i tēnā i whai hua ai ki te hōtaka i whakamaheretia, i tēnā hoki kīhai i whai hua ai, me ngā āhuatanga hoki e tika ana mō te whakapai tonutanga. Ka whakatairangatia te ako a ngā mokopuna, mā te tukanga whai hono ki waenga i te whakamahere, te aromatawai, me te aromātai hōtaka.

Me arotake i ngā take kaimahi, hei āta whakatau i te whakatutukitanga a te whānau i ā rātou takohanga hei kaituku mahi. Ahakoa he kirimana mahi, he tuhinga tūranga mahi hoki ā ngā kaimahi, ahakoa kua oti hoki te arowhai i te haumaru o ngā kaimahi, kāhore anō kia whakaritea ngā arohaehae āhua mahi me te whakaratonga o te whakawhanaketanga ngaio. Ka whakatairangatia ngā putanga ki ngā mokopuna i te wā e arotahi ana ki te whakapakari i ngā pūkenga me ngā āheinga o ngā kaimahi, kia whai hua ai ā rātou whakaritenga mahi.

Kāhore ngā hōneatanga ohotata mō te rū whenua e whakamātauhia ana i ia te wā. Me whakarite te whānau kia whakatutukihia, kia tuhia hoki ngā akoako ohotata i ia toru marama noa te putuputu, koni atu rānei.

5 Te Whakatau a te Whānau o te Kōhanga Reo ki ngā Wāhanga Tautukunga

I te wā o te arotake, i tirohia e Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga ngā pūnaha ki te whakahaere i ngā wāhanga e whai ake nei, arā, ki:

• te haumaru ā-whatumanawa, tae atu ki te ārahi mauritau me te ārai tamariki

• te haumaru ā-tinana, tae atu ki te mātakitaki tamariki, ngā whakaritenga whakamoe, ngā aituā, te whāngai rongoā; me ngā kaupapa here, ngā tukanga hoki mō ngā haerenga whakawaho

• te tū tika o ngā kaimahi, tae atu ki te tika o ngā tohu mātauranga, ngā mahi arowhai a ngā pirihimana, me te tatauranga ki waenga i te kaiako me te tamaiti 

• ngā whakaritenga ohotata me ngā tikanga ohotata e pā ana ki te rū whenua, te ahi, te waipuke, te tai āniwhaniwha, me te mate urutā.

Hei whakatutuki i ngā herenga ā-ture, me tahuri rātou ki te:

• whakatinana i tētahi tukanga e aromātai ai i te whai huatanga o te hōtaka akoranga

[R43 Ture Mātauranga (Kōhungahunga) 2008; C1 Paearu Raihana mō ngā Kōhanga Reo kei raro i te maru o Te Poari Matua o Ngā Kōhanga Reo 2008]  

• āta whakatakoto i ngā whakaritenga e tika ana mō te whakahaeretanga o ngā pūmanawa tāngata, tae atu ki te arohaehae i ngā kaimahi me te whakaratonga o te whakawhanaketanga ngaio

[R47 Ture Mātauranga (Kōhungahunga) 2008; GMA7 Paearu Raihana mō ngā Kōhanga Reo kei raro i te maru o Te Poari Matua o Ngā Kōhanga Reo 2008]

• āta whakatau i te noho mōhio o rātou ngā pakeke e whakarato ana i te mātauranga me te atawhai, ki ngā akoako hōneatanga rū whenua e tika ana, ā, kia whakatutukihia aua mahi ki te taha o ngā tamariki i ia toru marama noa te putuputu, koni atu rānei  

[R46 Ture Mātauranga (Kōhungahunga) 2008; HS8 Paearu Raihana mō ngā Kōhanga Reo kei raro i te maru o Te Poari Matua o Ngā Kōhanga Reo 2008]  

6 Te Taunakitanga

I whakawhanakehia e Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga me te whānau o te kōhanga reo te taunakitanga e whai ake nei, arā, kia:

• mahi tonu te whānau ki te taha o te tari ā-rohe o Te Poari Matua o Ngā Kōhanga Reo, kia whai tautoko rātou ki te whakatutuki i ngā whakaritenga matua i tautuhia ai ki tēnei pūrongo kia whai atu.

Darcy Te Hau
Toka ā Nuku
Te Uepū-a-Motu – Māori Services

13 Huitanguru, 2023

7 Ngā kōrero e pā ana ki te Kōhanga

Te tūwāhi	Kei Waitangirua, ki Porirua
Te tau a te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga	64037
Te tau tohu o Te Kōhanga Reo	09B064
Te tūmomo whare	He kōhanga reo
Te raihana	Ngā Ture Mātauranga (Ratonga Kōhungahunga) 2008
Te tokomaha mō te raihana	38, kia 14 ki raro i te rua o ngā tau
Te tokomaha kei runga i te rārangi ingoa	21, tokorima kei raro i te rua o ngā tau
Ngā hononga ā-iwi	Māori 21
Te wā i te kōhanga reo te rōpū arotake	Hakihea 2022
Te wā o tēnei pūrongo	13 Huitanguru, 2023
Ngā pūrongo o mua a Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga	Arotake Tāpiri, Pipiri 2021; Arotake Tāpiri, Hakihea 2018, Arotake Mātauranga, Haratua 2015

1 Introduction

The Education Review Office (ERO) in collaboration with whānau, leaders, kaimahi and their communities develop evaluation insights that foster accountability and improvement, identify progress and build evaluation capability. ERO reports provide important information for hapū and iwi.

2 Context

Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Toka Āhuru is located in Porirua. Since the previous ERO report in 2021, the whānau have worked collaboratively to strengthen whānau capability to manage operations and promote positive outcomes for mokopuna.

3 Evaluation Focus

How well do mokopuna express their understanding of te reo Māori?

Mokopuna are developing as speakers of te reo Māori.

4 Findings

Mokopuna learn an environment where te reo Māori is prioritised. Whānau are committed to the revitalisation of te reo Māori, which is a key priority in the strategic plan. Kaimahi are fluent speakers and strong te reo Māori language models. They draw on a range of ways to support mokopuna to build their understanding and use of te reo Māori. These include conversations, questions, prompts and instructions. Karakia, mihimihi and waiata support mokopuna development of appropriate language structures. Tuākana are confident to use what they know in te reo Māori. They are able to initiate conversations with kaimahi and each other. Tēina and pēpi express their understanding of te reo Māori in several ways. Mokopuna are settled and display confidence in their use of te reo Māori.

Kaimahi provide learning opportunities and experiences that are enjoyable for mokopuna. Designated areas for tuakana, tēina and pēpi enable them to explore in a space that is relevant for their age groups. Kaimahi respond to mokopuna with affection and care. All learning spaces are organised, resourced, colourful and promotes mokopuna play, curiosity and creativity. 

Kaimahi work from a basis of whanaungatanga as they plan the learning programme and monitor mokopuna learning. Planning is detailed and aligns to Te Whāriki a Te Kōhanga Reo. This includes annual, term and weekly plans to guide kaimahi to ensure the programme is focused and purposeful. Kaimahi use a range of strategies to record learning and development. Matai mokopuna and individual profile books are presented, and information is focused on learning journey of individual mokopuna. Mokopuna experience learning that fosters and nurtures mātauranga Māori. 

Whānau manage most aspects of the kōhanga reo operations. The Tūtohinga sets out a planned approach and direction for the whānau and is underpinned by the principles of Te Korowai. Whānau hui are well attended and detailed minutes are informative. Reporting across administration and operations are evident and are regularly presented at monthly hui. Policies and procedures for health, safety and personnel management are in place along with documented registers. This ensures mokopuna health, safety and wellbeing is prioritised. The draft strategic plan includes the vision and aspirations whānau hold for their mokopuna. Whānau have encapsulated priorities and goals to ensure sustainability for the future. Mokopuna learning and wellbeing is the focus of collective whānau decision making. 

Key Next Steps

Mokopuna learning can be further enhanced through programme evaluation. It is essential for kaimahi to document what was successful in the planned programme, what did not work and what needs to be improved. Mokopuna learning is enhanced through a connected process of planning, assessment and programme evaluation.

Personnel matters should be reviewed to ensure that whānau meet their obligations as employers. Whilst kaimahi have employment contracts, job descriptions and completed kaimahi safety checks, performance appraisals and the provision of professional development is not yet in place. Outcomes for mokopuna are enhanced when there is a focus on building kaimahi skill and capability to become effective practitioners.

Emergency evacuations for earthquake are not regularly practised. Whānau must ensure emergency drills are carried out and documented at least on a three monthly basis.

5 Kōhanga Whānau Assurance on Legal Requirements

During the evaluation, ERO looked at systems for managing the following areas:

• emotional safety including positive guidance and child protection

• physical safety including supervision, sleep procedures, accidents, medication, excursion policy and procedures

• suitable staffing including appropriate qualifications, police vetting, ratios

• emergency procedures and practices for earthquakes, fire, flood, tsunami and pandemic.

Actions for Compliance

To meet compliance requirements, they must: 

• implement and establish a process to evaluate the effectiveness of the learning programme [Regulation 43 Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008; C1 Licensing Criteria for Kōhanga Reo affiliated with Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust 2008]

• ensure suitable human resource management practices, including appraisal for staff and the provision of professional development [Regulation 47 Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008, (GMA7) Licensing Criteria for Kōhanga Reo affiliated with Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust 2008]

• ensure adults providing education and care are familiar with relevant emergency earthquake drills and carry these out with children on an at least three-monthly basis
  [Regulation 46 Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008, HS8 Licensing criteria for kōhanga reo affiliated with the Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust 2008]

6 Recommendation

ERO and the Kōhanga reo whānau developed the following recommendation:

• whānau continue to work alongside the district office for support to address the key next steps identified in this report.

Darcy Te Hau
Toka-ā-Nuku – Director
Te Uepū ā-Motu – Māori Review Services

13 February 2023

7 Information about the Kōhanga Reo

Location	Waitangirua, Porirua
Ministry of Education profile number	64037
Kōhanga Reo Identification Number	09B064
Licence type	Te Kōhanga Reo
Licensed under	Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008
Number licensed for	38 children, including up to 14 aged under 2
Service roll	21 children, including up to 5 aged under 2
Ethnic composition	Māori 21
Review team on site	December 2022
Date of this report	13 February 2023
Most recent ERO report(s)	Supplementary Review, June 2021; Supplementary Review, December 2018; Education Review, May 2015