It’s also fantastic to see so many of you registering early for our Professional Learning Development programme, with the next Te Tirit o Waitangi for non-Māori workshop already nearing its capacity.
In this Ako Alert:
He Maimai aroha - A fond tribute to Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi
Website pick of free resources
Connecting with our community
Manako briefing paper | December 2024
2025 Regional Forums | Save the dates
2025 Te Whatu Kairangi Nominations now open
Free online information sessions
2025 AARIA contestable funding round
New talanoa numeracy pathway
New submissions to the University Advisory Group (UAG) and NZQA
2025 Professional learning development schedule
He Maimai aroha - A fond tribute to
Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi
Ako Aotearoa is saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi. Our team have dedicated a fond tribute to her on our website.
Dame Iritana was a former member of Ako Aotearoa's Māori Caucus / Te Rūnanga Māori from December 2008 - 2023. Initially nominated by the Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust, She was one of the cornerstones of the Kōhanga Reo movement as a means to revitalize the Māori language.
Mike Styles, a Dyslexia Practitioner, advocator and Ako Aotearoa facilitator was recognised by the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 Honours list, for services to people with dyslexia and education.
This award recognises Mikes dedication to supporting dyslexic learners in the tertiary sector. It also acknowledges Mike's work in leading government agencies and education organisations to implement the Dyslexia-Friendly Quality Mark.
New Pacific songwriting course
Our Pacific Cultural Advisor, Saylene Ulberg, is thrilled to collaborate with SAE Creative Media Institute, on the delivery of a new Pacific songwriting course, set to launch in 2025.
"I'm very excited to work with pacific learners by using songwriting and music to reconnect them with their heritage and native tongue."
Saylene will partner closely with Dr Stephen Small from SAE to develop this innovative programme, designed for learners at all skill levels. Students will engage in hands-on learning experiences, blending traditional and contemporary songwriting techniques.
In December last year, our Manako team submitted their final briefing paper to the then Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills. This briefing paper highlights the impact of the Manako programme during 2024.
These papers provide critical insights and expert recommendations to support learner success, aligning with the objectives of the current Tertiary Education Strategy.
We're delighted to bring back the regional forums for 2025, please save the date for a forum near you.
Central Regional Forum 3rd April, Awapuni Racecourse
Northern Regional Forum 15 may, Victory Convention Centre
Southern Regional Forum 19 August, University of Canterbury
More details coming soon.
2025 Te Whatu Kairangi nominations open
Hon Penny Simmonds with Prime Ministers Educators of the year 2024
Hiria Tumoana, Kerry Davis and Dr Ēnoka Murphy (2023 recipient)
The 2025 Te Whatu Kairangi nominations are now open.
Ako Aotearoa invites tertiary education institutions and organisations to nominate outstanding educators or groups who they believe, are making a difference to learners, their whānau, and communities. Nominations can be for any of the four following awards:
Kaupapa Māori - for individuals or groups whose practice incorporates te reo Māori, tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori.
Le Moana Mu - for Pacific educators, available to both individuals and groups.
General Award - For individuals and groups with specified criteria.
Te Tohu Reo Māori Award - recognising the practice of kaiako who teach te reo Māori.
Over the coming months we'll be hosting free, online information sessions with previous awardees and members of the Te Whatu Kairangi judging panel attending.
In these sessions we will discuss how to make a strong nomination; and answer any questions you have about this year’s awards or the nomination process.
2025 AARIA contestable funding round
The 2025 Ako Aotearoa Research and Innovation Agenda (AARIA) contestable funding round opens from 1 March.
The 2025 request for proposals aims to catalyse systems-level change in tertiary education, driving more equitable learner outcomes.
Ako Aotearoa is excited to announce the latest AARIA research project to be completed. In the starting blocks, by Dr Damon Whitten, explores the life experiences of dyscalculic adults in New Zealand.
Our Manako team has crafted another fabulous resource to help you build your numeracy teaching toolkit.
The Talanoa Numeracy Educator Pathway is a free, self-directed online course on Pathways Awarua. It is designed to infuse Pacific flair, wisdom, and energy into the teaching and learning of numeracy.
As part of our commitment to good practice in tertiary education, Ako Aotearoa participates in consultation processes and develops submissions on relevant documents.
In December 2024 we developed a submission to UAG, highlighting the value a focus on quality teaching can have raising learner success.
You are receiving this email because you have signed up on our website, or opted to receive our newsletters when registering for an Ako Aotearoa event.
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