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September 28, 2016
Raukura behind persuasive teaching style
Waatea Team
Posted On September 28, 2016
NZEI Te Riu Roa has acknowledged the contribution made to teaching and unionism over the past 40 years by Waitara East resource teacher of Maori Tiri Bailey of Te Atiawa.
She was made a fellow at the union's annual conference in Rotorua this week.
Ms Bailey joined the NZEI at training college in Auckland in the early 1970s where she credits lecturers like the late Vern Penfold for highlighting the importance of kaupapa Maori.
She says things have changed hugely since then, especially around the availability of Maori language in schools but more needs to be done.
"There is a push for the teaching of our history. Until we acknowledge our history, things will not be good for our tamariki, so that's something that im trying to encourage schools into doing", says Tiri.
Tiri Bailey says her gentle persuasive style of advancing Maori interests comes from her Taranaki upbringing under the raukura or feathers of peace.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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