Episode 36: Understanding our past: native schools and life for an ākonga Maōri in the 1950s and 60s

Kia hakatōmuri te haere whakamua: ‘I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past’

In this episode of The Principals Podcast, Mārama Stewart, tumuaki and former Leadership Advisor, sits down with someone incredibly special to her — her aunty, Ani Mohi (or Mrs Mohi to many), a proud Māori principal whose story continues to shape and inspire Mārama’s own journey. This kōrero spans generations as they reflect on Mrs Mohi’s journey through the education system — as a student in the 1950s and 60s, a teacher in the 1980s, and a principal in the 1990s and on.

In this episode, we talk about what it was like for her growing up in an era where te ao Māori had little or no place in the classroom. 

This episode is a personal tribute to those who walked before us, and a reminder that our stories — our whakapapa — are not just history, they are maps. They are a guide to help us reflect on your own leadership journey — where you’ve come from, who you carry with you, and what kind of future you want to help shape.

You can find more information about this topic in Looking after learning (part 4) of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - the Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules.

In this episode, we speak with:

• Ani Mohi, Former Tumuaki of Te Kura Mana Māori o Maraenui

This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.

 

You can learn more by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz

 

Show notes

Episode themes:

• Mrs Mohi’s experience of life at native school
• Differences between native school and other English-medium schools
• Resistance to racism
• Slow emergence of some te reo and Māori culture in some schools
• Teachers’ College in the 1970s.