Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis has launched a new learning resource to help the next generation learn about the storied history of the Maori Battalion.

The material has been developed by the Ngarimu VC and 28^th Maori Battalion Scholarship Board for tamariki of all ages, whanau, kura and schools.

It aims to provide an inclusive and engaging learning experience that is easily accessible for tamariki and whanau.

By exploring the stories and history of the 28^th Maori Battalion, students will have the opportunity to increase their awareness and understanding of the contribution the 28^th Maori Battalion soldiers and community made to whanau, hapu, iwi and the shape of our modern nation, New Zealand.

'This creates a meaningful, tailored curriculum resource that allows akonga Maori, nga Rangatira mo apopo to see themselves, to see their ancestors, in their learning. This is all part of a shift towards an education system that gives Maori agency over education for Maori,” says Davis.

In 2020, Ka Hikitia and Tau Mai te Reo - two cornerstone strategies for the direction of travel for education for the next 30 years - were relaunched.

This resource aligns with Ka Hikitia by providing examples of learning within the context of:

• Te Whanau: responding to learners within the context of their whanau,
• Te Tangata: culturally appropriate learning so that Maori learners and their whanau have a strong sense of belonging.
• Te Kanorautanga – understanding Maori in the context of their diverse aspirations, lived experiences, and whakapapa.
• Te Tuakiritanga – that education can support the identity, language and culture of Maori learners and their whanau so that Maori learners can actively participate in te ao Maori.
• Te Rangatiratanga – the Ministry partnering with Maori to support Maori to make decisions about the education of Maori learners.

'This resource is Ka Hikitia in action. This resource is Aotearoa New Zealand Histories in action. We want to engage Maori learners in education, to help them achieve excellent outcomes. I see this resource as the first of many to be developed around Aotearoa,” says Davis.

This learning resource fits within Te Whakaritenga Papori Me Te Ahurea and Te Ao Hurihuri in ‘Te Marautanga o Aotearoa', Te Takanga o Te Wa and Social Studies and Aotearoa New Zealand Histories in the Social Sciences learning area in ‘The New Zealand Curriculum'.

The resources can be accessed in English here and in Te Reo here.

Image Credit: Kaye, George Frederick, 1914-2004. Crew of a 28th New Zealand (Maori) Battalion Bren carrier, waiting to move up to front lines from Gambettola, Italy - Photograph taken by George Frederick Kaye. New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch: Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945,occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency. Ref: DA-07700-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23053187