Māori Schooling in Colonial New Zealand

The intriguing educational relationship between Māori and Pākehā began in the early nineteenth century. The first school, run by missionaries in the north of New Zealand, was opened in 1816 – and over the next thirty years, Māori were enthusiastic participants in the schooling process, seeing it as a means to become modern citizens of a rapidly changing world.

During these early years, Māori actively supported and controlled the growth of western schooling in New Zealand. However, this optimism and ambition eventually gave way to disappointment and frustration, since the first Pākehā teachers were unable or unwilling to teach what Māori sought, and tended to refuse Māori knowledge.

This period of New Zealand history has been well documented by historians, but no detailed account has been written of the educational relationship between Māori and Pakeha. Associate Professor Alison Jones from the University of Auckland and Dr Kuni Jenkins from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiarangi have been awarded a Marsden grant, to examine this time in our education history, and particularly to emphasise the Māori perspective.

The pair will produce a book-length account of the first schools, which will provide a new perspective on our cultural history. As well as an overall view of the events of the time, they will focus on key moments in the initial educational relationship, including the chief Ruatara’s invitation in 1809 to Samuel Marsden to set up a school; the arrival of the first teacher; and visits to Cambridge University by Māori .

The aim is to write an account which is both lively and scholarly, telling the interesting and unexpected stories of the beginnings of New Zealand’s education system.

Total Funding:    $518,189
Researchers:    Associate Professor Alison Jones, Faculty of Education, Te Puna Wānanga, University of Auckland,Auckland
Dr Kuni Jenkins, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiarangi