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Tapatoru ako professional development programme
ONLINE LEARNING

Tapatoru Educator Pathway

Duration

Self-paced

Price

FREE

Independent learning on Pathways Awarua.

About the pathway

The Tapatoru Ako Professional Practice Award is a values-based professional development initiative focused on fostering inclusive and effective learning environments and elevating the practice of tertiary educators and trainers.

The programme is built on four core values:

  • Whanaungatanga (building relationships)
  • Manaakitanga (showing respect and care)
  • Wairuatanga (nurturing the spirit)
  • Aroha (empathy).

The Tapatoru Ako Professional Practice Award is a facilitated programme of professional development for organisations, offered through a subscription model.

The Tapatoru Educator Pathway is a free, online self-directed course that supports the Tapatoru programme.

Find out more about Tapatoru on our website or contact us for information.

Topics covered

The Tapatoru Educator Pathway currently includes ten professional learning and development collections:

  1. What is the Tapatoru?
  2. Planning your PLD
  3. Unpacking your values
  4. Embedding language, literacy and numeracy
  5. Māori cultural capability
  6. Pacific cultural centredness
  7. Learning differences
  8. Technology in education
  9. ESOL teaching
  10. Ako Explored

More content will be added in the future.

How to register

To access the pathway, visit the Pathways Awarua website and sign up as an Educator. Once registered and logged in, select the “Educator Pathways” tile to get to the Tapatoru Educator Pathway and other educator pathways offered by Ako Aotearoa.

Pathways Awarua regularly offer free webinars for educators to familiarise themselves with the learning platform.

Professional learning and development (PLD) is central to maintaining teaching excellence, equity of learner outcomes, and future readiness in the tertiary sector. 

In response to the evolving needs of Aotearoa New Zealand’s tertiary sector, Ako Aotearoa commissioned a strategic review of professional learning and development (PLD) across the sector. The resulting report, developed through extensive consultation with over 40 tertiary education organisations (TEOs) - offers a timely and comprehensive overview of the most pressing PLD needs, barriers to participation, and future opportunities.

Professional learning and development in Aotearoa New Zealand’s tertiary education sector - A strategic review by Ako Aotearoa

September 2025
Report prepared for Ako Aotearoa by Dr Linda Keesing-Styles and Jane Terrell
PDF, 153Kb