Te Reo Māori in Everyday ACE Teaching Practice
Building confidence in te reo Māori and culturally responsive teaching practice
ACE Aotearoa is offering three fully funded, interactive online workshops designed to support Adult and Community Education (ACE) educators to strengthen their confidence in incorporating te reo Māori, Māori perspectives and culturally responsive approaches into everyday teaching.
Facilitated from a Tangata Tiriti perspective, these practical one-hour workshops will explore how educators can make te reo Māori more visible and valued, create inclusive learning environments, and consider how Māori values and perspectives can inform effective adult teaching.
The workshops recognise the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in education and encourage educators to reflect on how their everyday teaching practices can better recognise and support Māori language, identity, culture and aspirations.
Connected to the ACE Teaching Standards, each workshop focuses on practical strategies, shared learning and achievable changes that educators can apply in their own teaching environments.
Participants can attend one, two or all three workshops. No prior knowledge of te reo Māori is required.
Workshop Details
Dates: Wednesdays, 18 November, 25 November and 2 December 2026
Time: 12:30–1:30 pm (NZDT)
Delivery: Online
Duration: One hour per workshop
Cost: Fully funded and free to attend
Facilitator: Tai Samaeli, ACE Aotearoa
Workshop 1: Making Space for Te Reo Māori in ACE
Wednesday 18 November 2026 | 12:30–1:30 pm
Building confidence to incorporate te reo Māori into everyday teaching.
This workshop supports ACE educators to identify simple, meaningful opportunities to incorporate te reo Māori into everyday teaching. From a Tangata Tiriti perspective, participants will consider their role in recognising, valuing and supporting te reo Māori within adult learning environments.
The workshop focuses on practical ways to increase the visibility and everyday use of te reo Māori, using trusted resources and achievable changes.
In this workshop, we will:
- Explore why te reo Māori matters in adult and community education.
- Identify ways to make te reo Māori more visible and valued.
- Discover trusted resources to support our language learning.
- Explore practical opportunities to incorporate te reo Māori into teaching.
- Identify one achievable change to make in your teaching practice.
Outcome: Educators will identify realistic ways to begin incorporating te reo Māori into their teaching.
Workshop 2: Creating Culturally Responsive Learning Environments
Wednesday 25 November 2026 | 12:30–1:30 pm
Practical approaches to making adult learning more inclusive and culturally responsive.
This workshop explores how ACE educators can strengthen their teaching practices and learning environments to better recognise and respond to Māori learners' identities, experiences and aspirations.
Through a Tangata Tiriti lens, participants will consider how relationships, learner participation and inclusive teaching approaches can contribute to more equitable and culturally responsive learning experiences.
In this workshop, we will:
- Explore what culturally responsive teaching looks like in ACE.
- Recognise the importance of identity, language and culture in adult learning.
- Identify ways to build positive relationships with Māori learners and whānau.
- Explore opportunities for learners to share their knowledge and experiences without placing expectations on individuals.
- Reflect on everyday teaching practices through a Te Tiriti and culturally responsive lens.
Outcome: Educators will develop practical strategies to create learning environments that better recognise and value Māori learners.
Workshop 3: Bringing Te Ao Māori Perspectives into Everyday Teaching
Wednesday 2 December 2026 | 12:30–1:30 pm
Exploring how Māori values can inform learner-centred teaching practice.
This workshop introduces ACE educators to ways Māori values and perspectives can inform and strengthen everyday teaching practice.
Facilitated from a Tangata Tiriti perspective, participants will explore how selected Māori values connect with relationships, learner participation and inclusive teaching, while recognising the importance of learning from Māori knowledge and expertise.
In this workshop, we will:
- Explore values such as manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and ako through trusted Māori-informed resources.
- Consider how these values relate to relationships, participation and learner wellbeing.
- Recognise existing strengths and opportunities in teaching practice.
- Use reflection to strengthen inclusive and respectful teaching.
- Identify opportunities to seek Māori guidance and further develop our teaching practice.
Outcome: Educators will identify ways to strengthen their teaching practice through a better understanding of Māori perspectives.
Who Should Attend?
These workshops are designed for people working or volunteering in Adult and Community Education, including:
- Educators, tutors and kaiako.
- Programme coordinators and managers.
- Learner support and administrative staff.
- Volunteers involved in adult learning.
- Anyone interested in strengthening culturally responsive teaching practice.
The workshops are suitable for participants with varying levels of experience. No formal teaching qualification or prior knowledge of te reo Māori is required.
Workshop Format
Each one-hour online workshop will be interactive and practical, combining short presentations, group discussions, reflection activities and opportunities to apply learning.
All workshops will be facilitated from a Tangata Tiriti perspective, encouraging participants to consider how their teaching practice can recognise Māori as tangata whenua, value te reo Māori and Māori perspectives, and contribute to equitable and inclusive learning experiences.
Participants will explore their own teaching practice, share experiences and identify realistic changes they can implement.
Although the workshops complement one another, each can be attended independently.
Your Facilitator
Tai Samaeli | Pou Ako, ACE Sector Capability Manager, ACE Aotearoa
Tai Samaeli leads professional development initiatives for the Adult and Community Education sector across Aotearoa New Zealand, supporting educators to strengthen their confidence, capability and teaching practice.
His approach emphasises practical, inclusive and learner-centred professional learning, encouraging educators to reflect on their practice, share experiences and identify meaningful changes they can implement.
As a non-Māori facilitator, Tai approaches these workshops from a Tangata Tiriti perspective, recognising the importance of Māori language, identity, culture and aspirations in adult education. His facilitation focuses on supporting educators to reflect on their responsibilities and explore practical ways to strengthen their teaching through trusted Māori language and cultural resources.
The workshops encourage reflection, discussion, and practical application rather than formal instruction in te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, or mātauranga Māori.
Registration Information
All three workshops are fully funded and free to attend for people working or volunteering in Adult and Community Education.
Participants can register for one, two or all three workshops, depending on their interests and professional development needs.
Please register for each workshop using the registration links provided above.
Register your interest
Interested in attending these workshops or exploring other ACE Aotearoa professional development opportunities?
Complete our short registration-of-interest form to select this workshop and any other workshops that interest you.
You can register as an individual or indicate interest in professional development for a group of 10 or more participants.
We will use this information to help plan future workshops and contact you when relevant opportunities become available.
Registering your interest is free and does not guarantee a place or commit you to attending a workshop.