17DS03
Doctoral Thesis
Project commenced:Melissa Derby (Ngāti Ranginui), University of Canterbury
The study explores literacy as a human right that is key to accessing other human rights associated with health and wellbeing, community engagement, cultural imperatives, and lifelong learning - all of which are critical to the Mauri Ora theme.
My doctoral research also has resonance with Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga’s statement about Te Reo me Ngā Tikanga Māori: The Māori Language and Protocols in that my research is seeking to gain greater understanding of the development of early literacy skills in bilingual (Te Reo Māori and English) pre-school children.
My research is in conjunction with Nōku Te Ao, which is a bilingual early childhood centre located in Christchurch, New Zealand, catering for children aged 0-5 years. The centre has two sites. The first site was opened in 2002 in response to a growing population of young children in Te Ahikaaroa Kapa Haka group.
The members of the group decided to start their own centre, which reflects their values and aspirations for their children. Nōku Te Ao places tino rangatiratanga at the heart of their centre, embedding it in their philosophy and in their teachings. My research participants include four-year old children attending Nōku Te Ao, their whānau, and the teachers in the centre. It is intended that findings of the research will be disseminated among other Māori communities, in particular my own tribal community in Tauranga.