Mātaiao
Mātaiao
Enhancing learning through te taiao
Te Kura o Te Muriwai in Gisborne Tairāwhiti is one of 57 kura supported through Mātaiao since it’s inception in 2020.
Mātaiao is a Kaupapa Māori approach supporting kura and kaiako to enhance ākonga wellbeing through mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge). Funded by Sport NZ, it strengthens tamariki and rangatahi connection to te taiao (the natural world) and culture through physical activity and learning.
Mātaiao emerged from the pilot Tapuwaekura, and Tapuwaekura emerged from the Atua Matua health framework.
“He tirotiro ki ngā tohu o te taiao, ōna atua, ōna mātauranga, ka whakaarahia hei akoranga mā te tangata.”
“Mātaiao means to observe the world, that is, observe environmental phenomena and knowledge, and use those as a teaching and learning approach.”
Mātaiao Evaluation 2025
2025 nationwide reach at a glance
Depth, continuity and leadership engagement drive the strongest outcomes.
Mātaiao delivers the greatest impact when kura are supported to move from entry-level participation into sustained, embedded practice.
Evaluation approach
Te Paetawhiti Ltd & Associates have led the kaupapa Māori centred evaluation of Mātaiao. It is focused on understanding:
- What is important when implementing Mātaiao.
- What difference Mātaiao has made for tauira, kaiako, and kura.
Sport NZ acknowledges Ngā Pākura, Toi Tangata, Te Papa Tākaro o Te Arawa, Te Paetawhiti, whānau and kura involved in the implementation and evaluation of Mātaiao.
Mā te rongo, ka mōhio,
mā te mōhio, ka mārama,
mā te mārama, ka mātau,
mā te mātau, ka ora.
From listening comes knowledge,
from knowledge comes understanding,
from understanding comes wisdom,
from wisdom comes well-being.
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