This e-news features some of our latest updates and activities.
Our third and final Regional Forum for 2025 takes place in three weeks on 19 August in Christchurch. Hosted by the Southern Sector Services Manager, Jennifer Leahy, Ako Aotearoa warmly invites educators across Aotearoa New Zealand to attend this event. Claim your spot.
Also in this Ako Alert:
Southern regional forum
Post-forum workshops
Visit to central Otago
New educator pathway
ConCOVE Conference ticket deal!
Blog #5 | Innovative approaches to support Pacific learners in tertiary education
2024 Ako Aotearoa Annual Report
The New Zealand Literacy and Numeracy Educator Awards
Spaces are filling up for our Southern Regional Forum in Ōtautahi Christchurch! This year’s forum features a dynamic line-up of kaiako, researchers, AI experts, and a 2024 Te Whatu Kairangi Award recipient, sharing insights through presentations, panels, and discussions.
The range of organisations represented by attendees already registered, include:
Attending the southern regional forum is not required to register for these sessions.
Visit to Central Otago
Southern Hub Regional Manger, Jennifer Leahy, was thrilled to connect with Otago educators at Central Otago REAP where she was able to run an informative workshop on bicultural teaching and educator wellbeing and share some helpful resources located in our knowledge centre.
Jennifer was happy to collaborate with Michael Grawe, who also ran a workshop on Pathways Awarua and the various learning opportunities it offers both ākonga and educators.
Designed to complement our live workshops, this self-paced learning series helps educators build confidence and capability in supporting neurodivergent ākonga. The pathway includes practical strategies, reflective activities, and guidance for creating inclusive learning environments across tertiary settings.
2-for-1 Tickets for ConCOVE conference
ConCOVE are encouraging registrations for their upcoming Tūhura: Insights to Actions conference in Wellington on 21 August, with a 2-for-1 ticket offer (deal ends 8 August).
Featuring insights from educators and researchers working directly with Pacific communities, this blog offers practical examples of what’s working across the sector and offers useful tools that educators can use to uplift their Pasifika learners.
The report highlights the activities of Ako Aotearoa over 2024. Including the quality ratings of our PLD programme, how we strengthened relationships to support learner success, a detailed recap of the Te Whatu Kairangi awards, and much more.
We're thrilled to see that our upcoming Neurodiversity August workshops are now full. Please contact us if you missed out and think your team or organisation would benefit from this workshop series, including the following topics:
Autism | Supporting learner success
Dyspraxia | Supporting learner success
ADHD | Supporting learner success
Dyslexia | Fostering metacognitive strategies.
Upcoming professional development
Strengthen your teaching practice
Ako Aotearoa’s Māori Cultural Coaching programme offers five online, self-directed courses, each centred on a key Māori value: Manaakitanga, Rangatiratanga, Whanaungatanga, Wairuatanga, and Ako.
Tailored for tertiary educators, each course offers approximately 10 hours of flexible, self-paced learning, enriched with personalised support from a Māori cultural coach via one-on-one online sessions and regular drop-ins. Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding or apply Māori values more intentionally in your classroom, these courses provide practical, culturally grounded guidance.
Presented by Dr John Benseman, this session will explore ways to increase research-informed practice not only for adult literacy and numeracy teachers but also programme organisers and administrators.
.png?upscale=true&width=480&upscale=true&name=Dr%20Selena%20Chan%20%20(1).png)
