In Pursuit of indigeneity—Preparing for new horizons in education and law in Aotearoa New Zealand

The relationship between indigeneity and the institutions of common law have long caused various challenges of sovereignty for indigenous peoples.

Seminar 27 September 2023

Presenter: Sarah-Kay Coulter

The relationship between indigeneity and the institutions of common law have long caused various challenges of sovereignty for indigenous peoples in the Australasia region. This talk traces the struggles and opportunities that exist when examining the histories of Education law in Aotearoa, New Zealand, particularly for those that identify as Māori. This talk shares findings from a study that pursued a highly personalised and interdisciplinary approach that aimed to understand how Māori educators contribute to the development of legal cultures in schooling contexts. This discussion aims to reveal both the potential and pitfalls of legal cultures as they are transforming, and moves to ask, where to next. Sarah-Kay’s visit comes at a time when there is heightened interest in the political debate in education and questions if existing institutional structures create the conditions for Māori success. This talk promises to be a thought-provoking event addressing some of the critical questions for publicly funded education.

Sarah-Kay (Ngati Porou, Waikato-Tainui, Ngati Maniapoto) in an indigenous scholar who serves in a governance capacity appointed to MBIE as a Regional skills leader (BoP) and acts as the Chair for the Erana Kaunga Tuhura Whānau Trust which is committed to Māori community development. She is a New Zealand registered teacher and is completing her Doctoral research through Waipapa Taumata Rau Auckland University that examines the social aspect of law in schooling contexts. Her pioneering work in education systems has seen her awarded numerous prizes, notably a major Prime Ministers grant to take her hapū into Indonesia to develop productive relationships. She is motivated to contribute her knowledge to ensure education institutions are designed in ways that allow for a more just society and sees law and Māori knowledge systems able to be creatively and strategically align to promote human flourishing.

To view a recording of the seminar:

https://vstream.au.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=4c168542-5672-4cc6-9478-b08a000e9c5e