Webinar topic:

Teaching Te Tiriti: Walk the talk with integrity and courage

Over recent years, Ako Aotearoa has embarked on an extensive professional learning and development programme targeted particularly at Tangata Tiriti. The suite of mainly online workshops has attracted hundreds of educators from the tertiary sector. This panel includes the manager of this programme and Tangata Tiriti expert trainers.

They reflected on the feedback from the Tiriti o Waitangi suite provided by Ako Aotearoa in recent years, and looked to the future through new initiatives supported by Ako Aotearoa in association with AWEA — such as the development of a new online Tiriti course and a Tangata Tiriti-led Community of Practice which was launched on the day.

Presenters:

Dean Adam has experience facilitating anti-racism and Te Tiriti o Waitangi workshops with government agencies, health providers, and community organizations. With over 30 years of experience in public health, community development, and research, he has led regional programs promoting equity and social justice.

Dean holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Community Psychology and has worked with AWEA over the last several years to foster Treaty-based practices in research. He has also contributed to policy reform and delivered capability-building programs focused on embedding cultural responsiveness in organizations.

Ruth Peterson plays a pivotal role as the Sector Services Manager for Ako Aotearoa’s Northern Region, working to elevate teaching and learning across the region through strategic programming, networking forums, and community partnerships. She has been central in organizing regional forums and collaborative professional networks for educators, with notable focus on sector-wide engagement, cultural responsiveness, and emerging trends like AI in education.

She has been a strong advocate for learner‑centered and culturally responsive pedagogies alongside colleagues like Dr Joe Te Rito, Christine Herzog and Dean Adam. She has helped design and has managed and championed the suite of Tiriti courses offered by Ako Aotearoa.

Tuia Te Ako 2025 Webinar Series

The Tuia Te Ako Webinar series started in 2020 and continues to feature some of the iconic thought leaders in the tertiary education sector, as part of the Ako Aotearoa Mātauranga Māori programme. This year we feature both Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti guest speakers. 

The theme that runs through them all is that of Titiro Whakamuri: Titiro Whakamua – Looking to the past and looking to the future.

We will be asking our thought leaders to reflect on the recent past in their various areas of expertise and interest, and to cast an eye to the future. 

We start with a panel of Tangata Tiriti speakers focussing on our Te Tiriti o Waitangi programme of activity; then two tertiary Te Reo Māori educators who were recipients of the Te Whatu Kairangi Prime Minister’s Award; and finish with the CE of a Work Development Council which has recently released publications about the important contribution of Māori, Pacific and Disabled learners to the economy.

About Tuia Te Ako

First held in August 2010, Tuia Te Ako is a gathering for Māori and non-Māori teachers, lecturers, pastoral carers, policy & programme developers, researchers and training practitioners throughout New Zealand to share existing models of good teaching practice with a focus on assisting whānau, hapū, iwi, and Māori communities to achieve their aspirations.

A chance for all people interested in advancing achievement for Māori to come together to share in discussion and debate on a range of issues that impact on the success of Māori learners.