Tauira : Māori methods of learning and teaching / Joan Metge.

"Based on extensive interviews, this book offers a window on a mid-twentieth-century rural Māori world as described by those who grew up there. Metge's work tackles important questions about Māori teaching and learning of this period. What was the role of whānau and hapū, household and marae, kaumātua and siblings, work and play? How much learning was practical and how much by teaching?"--Publisher information.

Includes bibliographical references.

Machine generated contents note: Chapter 1: Voices from the Past -- Chapter 2: Learning as Part of Living -- Chapter 3: Teaching and Learning -- Chapter 4: Spirituality and Values -- Chapter 5: Learning in Maturity as Part of Living -- Chapter 6: Storehouses of Knowledge -- Chapter 7: Wānanga -- Chapter 8: Storytelling -- Chapter 9: Learning in the School System -- Chapter 10: Educational Practices and Principles.

Based on extensive interviews with 21 individuals, this book allows us to listen to Maori from Northland recall the mid-20th century rural world in which they grew up. Metge's work tackles important questions about Maori teaching and learning: What was the role of whanau and hapu, household and marae, kaumatua and siblings, work and play in learning? How much learning was practical and how much by teaching?

Metge shows that Maori ways of learning flourished alongside the school system in rural Northland and that those educational practices had a particular form and philosophy. Maori focused on learning by doing, teaching in context, learning in a group, memorising, and advancement when ready. Maori of rural Northland imparted cultural knowledge as well as practical skills through daily life and storytelling, in whanau and community activities.

Under achievement of Maori children in state schools is often attributed to deficiencies in the children's home environment. Joan Metge presents a different view. She introduces readers to Maori methods of teaching and learning that are rich in lessons for us all.