Ep. 61: Fighting for Equity in New Zealand Public Schools

Essential Question: How is fighting for equity in schools a universal struggle?

Sometimes you attend a conference and one of the most powerful takeaways is a connection with someone from another part of the world. When Hope was partnered with Naketa during a pair-share exercise, she knew this was a conversation that needed to be recorded and shared with a wider audience. This week’s episode is truly a GLOBAL conversation. On December 21, Annie braved floods to record in our Tacoma studio. Our amazing guest, Naketa Ikihele woke up bright and early to record with us on her summer vacation (from her car!). Hope tried not to laugh too loudly at 1 am as she recorded in her sister’s dining room in the Philippines.

Naketa Ikihele is a primary school educator, and coach/consultant with Kia Mahira in Auckland, NZ. To start the show, she introduces herself with a traditional opening common in Maori culture that honors her family, tribe, and land. Throughout the episode, we compare NZ and US education systems, specifically focusing on how teachers fight for diversity and equitable educational opportunities for all students. Naketa shares insight into governance and the effort to revitalize cultural pride in indigenous children. She also describes how NZ systems approach challenges such as the recruitment of teachers and supporting vulnerable students. One highlight is when Naketa shares that developing partnerships with parents is starting with a simple question “what do you dream for your child?”

For further study:

Comparing NZ and US system

IB Learner Profile/Competencies

Government program New Zealand Now

Pacific Peoples in New Zealand history & context

NZ Association for Research in Ed

Webber and MacFarlane’s research The Transformative Role of Iwi Knowledge and Genealogy in Maori Student Success

You can follow Naketa’s work by visiting her websiteKia Mahira  or on Twitter @Naketa_NZ

Champagne & Real Pain:

Champagne: 2019 is basically over. Good riddance. 

Real Pain: People comparing Donald Trump’s impeachment trial to Jesus’ trial before Pontius Pilot

Do Your Fudging Homework:

Hope: read one of the links we posted & make room in your mind 

Annie: learn more about global poverty from the “We Day” website