# Place-based curriculum

**Source**: https://teachwell.auckland.ac.nz/teaching/putoi-ako/place-based-curriculum/
**Parent**: https://teachwell.auckland.ac.nz/

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 — Place-based curriculum

# Place-based curriculum

Utilising local narratives, histories, and perspectives in the curriculum.

… it should mean greater excellence, because you’d be bringing Indigenous, Māori and local knowledges [sic] into engagement with other knowledge systems. The products of those engagements, in my view, can only be better. [1](#fn-1)

The following resources give a range of perspectives on expressions of place-based curriculum in Aotearoa and Tāmaki Makaurau. The Refreshed Graduate Profile references the name gifted to the University of Auckland, [Waipapa Taumata Rau](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2021/07/22/university-gifted-name-waipapa-taumata-rau.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20name%20%E2%80%98Waipapa,journeys%20toward%20success.%22), which connects our curriculum to the histories, perspectives, and narratives of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. By becoming conversant in mātauranga expressed through place-based curriculum, our graduates will connect to knowledge of place both here, throughout [Te Moananui-a-Kiwa](https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/tuia-matauranga/voyaging-through-nz-histories/voyaging-pacific-ocean), and beyond.

## Professor Wally Penetito on place-based education

Wally Penetito, Ngāti Hauā, describes place-based education as having three strands:

- A place-based curriculum that lets students examine knowledge and events from where their feet stand.
- A place-based pedagogy that takes into account the [tikanga](https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan=&histLoanWords=&keywords=tikanga). of where you are teaching.
- The idea of challenging your own “taken-for-granted” world.

## Te Kawehau Hoskins’ explanation of pepeha

[Whanaungatanga](https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan=&histLoanWords=&keywords=Whanaungatanga) or relationships are the basis of te ao Māori. When introducing ourselves, it’s not enough to just exchange names. We introduce ourselves in the context of our [iwi](https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan=&histLoanWords=&keywords=iwi), [hapū](https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan=&histLoanWords=&keywords=hapu), [whānau](https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan=&histLoanWords=&keywords=whanau#:~:text=2.%20(noun)%20extended%20family%2C%20family%20group%2C%20a%20familiar%20term%20of%20address%20to%20a%20number%20of%20people%20%2D%20the%20primary%20economic%20unit%20of%20traditional%20M%C4%81ori%20society.%20In%20the%20modern%20context%20the%20term%20is%20sometimes%20used%20to%20include%20friends%20who%20may%20not%20have%20any%20kinship%20ties%20to%20other%20members.) and [tūrangawaewae](https://maoridictionary.co.nz/search?idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan=&histLoanWords=&keywords=t%C5%ABrangawaewae#:~:text=1.%20(noun)%20domicile%2C%20standing%2C%20place%20where%20one%20has%20the%20right%20to%20stand%20%2D%20place%20where%20one%20has%20rights%20of%20residence%20and%20belonging%20through%20kinship%20and%20whakapapa.). In this way we can identify connections between ourselves and others.

## Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei introduction

[Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei](https://teara.govt.nz/en/ngati-whatua/page-2) are located in and around Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland, the largest city in Aotearoa. They hold firm to their identity as ahi kā and continue to maintain the legacy and vision of their tūpuna.

## Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei he pepeha

Pepeha show the origins of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, beyond Nukuroa (Aotearoa) in Wairotī and Wairotā. The waka hourua Māhuhu-ki-te-Rangi, under the primary command of Rongomai, travelled from the islands and made landfall in Aotearoa.

## Small steps – He rautaki iti

Learn and teach local narratives.

[Colonial History Walk](https://uoa.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/aa73269d-563d-4adb-bad0-92cdc7300000 "login required") – This is an opportunity suited to all academic and professional staff keen to learn more about the role of central Auckland in the history of colonisation.

## References

Penetito, W. (2008). Place-based education : catering for curriculum, culture and community. *New Zealand Annual Review of Education*, *18*(18), 5–29. https://doi.org/10.26686/nzaroe.v0i18.1544

*Page added 17/12/2025 (fixed broken link)*

1. Husband, Dale. “Te Kawehau Hoskins: A More Māori Life at University.” *E-Tangata.* May 21, 2023. https://e-tangata.co.nz/korero/te-kawehau-hoskins-a-more-maori-life-at-university/. [↩](#1-ref)