The aim of programme is to see students grow in their confidence and ability to use te reo Māori. We expect that students will be able to produce and understand spoken Māori at a basic level.

All classes have a fortnightly lesson with a specialist teacher of te reo Maori. The classroom teachers also participate in these sessions for their own professional development, which enables them to reinforce the language with their class during the fortnight between lessons.  We have a topic-based approach with the vocabulary and sentence structures focussed on relating to a topic such as kai (food).

Communicative skills are prioritised, to encourage and develop confidence with speaking and listening. Part of this involves engaging students with fun activities that provide a natural incentive to participate. Vocabulary and sentence patterns are revised and built on week by week.

The students are very keen to learn and the programme is going well. Students’ ability to use te reo Maori is developing wonderfully. There is a lot of enjoyment and fun in the sessions and excellent learning taking place.

Te Reo Extension

We have a fortnightly te reo Māori extension group. In each session we build on the language learnt in class and develop it. We try to use as much te reo in this group as possible; sometimes we are able to sustain te reo Māori as the main language and have an immersion environment. There are about twelve students in this group and it is particularly aimed at students who are very keen and competent in te reo Māori.