Susan Dow

Citation

Thesis Title
E tipu ana te mana tāngata: Supporting the development of leadership to enhance the quality of Māori students’ learning in bicultural schools in New Zealand

Most Māori school students in New Zealand attend schools lead by Pākehā educators. The high aspirations Māori have for their tamariki/mokopuna in these schools are often not realised. Mrs Dow's research traced the development of a Pākehā educator who sought to support the development of quality teaching and learning for Māori students in her particular Northland Christian bicultural school through action research. Analytical autoethnography was used to attain the depth of reflection needed to develop the effective cross-cultural relationships required. She found that linear, Eurocentered educational administration paradigms, leadership models and policies prevent Māori students from learning as Māori. Her research showed a non-linear, dialogic approach is needed to enable Māori students to learn to walk in both Māori and non-Māori worlds.

Supervisors
Professor Huia Jahnke
Associate Professor Ina Te Wiata