Ko wai mātou

About us

Te Komiti

Hītori

History

Te Ataarangi is a language revitalisation movement committed to the survival of the Māori language. Developed by Dame Kāterina Te Heikōkō Mataira and Ngoingoi Pewhairangi its immersion language learning technique is modeled on Caleb Gattegno’s the Silent Way, using Cuisenaire rods and incorporating Māori values and customs.

Te Ataarangi emerged from within the community and has developed over time to become one of the most effective Māori language learning methodologies in producing speakers of te reo Māori. Initially, Te Ataarangi sessions were delivered by native speakers of te reo Māori who were trained to become tutors.

Ngoingoi Pewhairangi

Te Komiti

Dame Kāterina Te Heikōkō Mataira

Widely known for its immersion teaching methodology, Te Ataarangi has a wealth of experience in language revitalisation with its key focus being the five principles of language planning. These are:

Language learning
Status
Language use
Corpus and
Critical Awareness

These principles together help to build speaker communities whilst supporting the intergenerational transmission of te reo and regional dialects.

Its long-standing success can be contributed to an ability to transform lives and support people to reach their potential. Acknowledged in 2001 by the then Hon Tariana Tūria, Associate Minister of Māori Affairs who described Te Ataarangi (alongside others) as having particular characteristics that can be credited to their success.

Mahere Rautaki

Strategic Plan

Te Āpōpōtanga has been a key component of the Mahere Rautaki of Te Ataarangi Trust for the past four years and determines the future direction for the Trust. The Mahere Rautaki is grounded in the theoretical foundations of language revitalisation which are re-establishing self-priming speaker communities.

Te Komiti

Ngā Manutea

Our esteemed Manutea are our remaining connection to the early days of Te Ataarangi. With their unwavering dedication, these kuia continue to support and advise in various kaupapa within Te Ataarangi whānui.

Rahera Shortland

Te Tai Tokerau

Mana Elizabeth Hunkin

Te Wairoa, Te Tai Rāwhiti

Nganehu Turner

Waikato, Maniapoto

Erana Brewerton

Ngati Porou

Te Korowai Atawhai o Te Ataarangi

In November 2024, Te Ataarangi was honoured to welcome Te Makau Ariki Te Atawhai Paki as Patron of our kaupapa, holding the esteemed role of Te Korowai Atawhai o Te Ataarangi.

While this formal role was bestowed in 2024, Te Makau Ariki's connection to Te Ataarangi spans many decades. Her journey with the kaupapa began through her training at Te Kuratini o Waikato during the 1990s, and she is herself a Pouako of Te Ataarangi. Through this longstanding relationship, she has witnessed and contributed to the growth of the movement and the revitalisation of te reo Māori within our communities.

As a respected leader and advocate for te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, and the wellbeing of whānau, Te Makau Ariki embodies the values that sit at the heart of Te Ataarangi. The title Te Korowai Atawhai o Te Ataarangi reflects the mantle of care, protection, guidance, and encouragement that she extends over our kaupapa, our kaiako, our ākonga, and the many communities who continue to learn and live te reo Māori through Te Ataarangi.

We are deeply honoured to have Te Makau Ariki standing alongside us as Patron, helping to uphold the vision of our founders and inspiring future generations of speakers and champions of te reo Māori.

Te Komiti

Te Rūnanga o Te Ataarangi

Te Ataarangi Trust Board Members

Te Ururoa Flavell

Heamana

Chairperson

Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāraranui (Te Arawa) Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Te Ata (Waikato-Tainui), Ngāpuhi

Miriamai Barbour

Tarahiti

Trustee

Waikato, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui

Phillecity Ngarangione

Tarahiti

Trustee

Te Tai Rāwhiti

Nepia Winiata

Tarahiti

Trustee

Ngāti Raukawa

Hine McLetchie

Tarahiti

Trustee

Ngāpuhi

Rukuwai Daniels

Tarahiti

Trustee

Tuhourangi, Ngati Wahiao, Ngati Whakaue, Tuhoe

Sharee Adam

Tarahiti

Trustee

Ngāti Korokī-Kahukura,

Ngāti Paoa

Vicky-Jean Stephens

Tarahiti

Trustee

Ngāpuhi, Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Raukawa ki Otaki,

Ngāti Porou

Anahera Neho

Tarahiti

Trustee

Ngāti Kahungungu ki Heretaunga, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Hine

Te Komiti

Te Pūtahi o Te Ataarangi

Te Pūtahi o Te Ataarangi is the operations arm of the organisation that is responsible for managing and implementing the strategic vision of Te Ataarangi Trust.