Breakout Session 2 - 13th May at 2:05 - 2:50
Relational leadership: Honouring the past, enacting the present, looking towards future design through mātauranga Māori integration
| Presenter/s: | Sharyn Heaton Andy Peart Ngaia Mason |
| Type: | Leadership Story |
| Keywords: | Relational leadership; Māori model of leadership; mātauranga Māori |
Abstract
This presentation draws on findings from Tukua te mātauranga marautanga kia rere, a TLRI-funded project exploring how the integration of mātauranga Māori into school curricula can be led through relational, culturally grounded leadership. The work is situated within a collaborative partnership between the school, iwi/hapū, whānau, pouako, and ākonga and embodies a commitment to honour the past, respond authentically in the present, and design a future where mātauranga Māori is woven through everyday schooling.
By foregrounding relational leadership, the study maps how top-down leadership (senior leadership governance, policy commitments, institutional structures) and grass-roots leadership (teacher innovation, whānau and iwi agency, student voice) converge to sustain curriculum transformation. This dual-direction leadership honours the legacy of Māori knowledge, ensures integrity and relevance in current practices, and builds capacity and shared ownership for future generations.
The project shows that relational leadership, as a dynamic, collective and culturally anchored force, enables more than curriculum change: it fosters belonging, supports teacher confidence, strengthens whānau and community engagement, and affirms ākonga identity. The model points to a future-focused vision of educational leadership grounded in partnership, shared responsibility, and cultural integrity.
Biography
Sharyn Heaton Andy Peart Ngaia Mason
Dr Sharyn Heaton (Ngāi Tahu, Muaūpoko, Te Arawa, Tainui-Waikato) is the Principal Investigator of the TLRI project,Tukua te mātauranga marautanga kia rere and a researcher in Māori education, curriculum design, and kaupapa Māori methodologies. Her work focuses on integrating mātauranga Māori into English-medium schooling through relational, culturally grounded, and transformational leadership that strengthens iwi–school partnerships and enhances outcomes for ākonga Māori.
Ngaia Mason (Ngāti Awa) is the Te Ao Māori lead teacher at Hillcrest Normal School. Grounded in culturally centered leadership, she coaches and mentors pouako to strengthen and develop their understanding of how to integrate Mātauranga Māori into classroom practice. As a bridge between senior leadership and teaching staff, her role strengthens relationships between ākonga, pouako, whānau and iwi-school partnerships so that ākonga Māori can be supported in feeling connected, engaged and flourishing in their learning spaces.
Andy Peart provides the leadership lens for this TLRI project, having been involved in its journey as both Tumuaki Tuarua and now Tumuaki of the school. His practice is grounded in relational, strengths-based leadership, aiming to cultivate an environment within the kura where both tamariki and pouako can flourish. A key focus for him is fostering the success of ākonga Māori and actively connecting with others to strengthen their individual and collective leadership capacity.