Whanaungatanga Relationships: Within a One Day School of Te Reo Māori Excellence

Abstract

Purpose

This chapter explores the realm of friendships and peer culture within a total immersion setting in Aotearoa New Zealand as reported by children and families. Based on the gifted and talented model, this One Day School of Te Reo Māori Excellence named Ka Puananī o Te Reo Māori, caters for children in years 1–6 from across Dunedin city.

Methodology/approach

There were two points of data collection, at the start and end of the first year, undertaken via in-depth semi-structured interviews with six children, three teenagers and 11 family members. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, with the raw data sorted into thematic categories, including highlighted quotes and important text.

Findings

Three themes were identified: engagement, cultural identity and whanaungatanga relationships. The children and families clearly maintained friendships within this immersion school of excellence, but also recognized that many of these relationships permeated beyond the classroom walls, subsequently growing a community of te reo Māori speakers. The findings from this study align with international research on ethnic schools, highlighting a deeper level of friendship and kinship, expressed through a curricula based on inclusive and traditional family values.

Originality/value

This chapter concentrates on the findings of whanaungatanga relationships; the necessity to establish friendships and develop a strong sense of belonging. The research explored the successes and challenges from the perspective of the participants, of the initial year of this unique bilingual pilot programme. This chapter attempts to addresses the gap in international research on children’s reported experiences within an Indigenous total immersion programme.

Citation

Te Maihāroa, K. (2016), " Whanaungatanga Relationships: Within a One Day School of Te Reo Māori Excellence", Friendship and Peer Culture in Multilingual Settings (Sociological Studies of Children and Youth, Vol. 21), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 253-275. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1537-466120160000021012