Ako Aotearoa

Ako Aotearoa is New Zealand's National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence

• Our vision
• Our mission
• Our view on teaching and learning
• Our committment to te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Our value proposition
• Working across the whole sector
• Our goals
• Our strategic themes
• Management and Governance Structure
• Ako Aotearoa's Māori Caucus
• Our publications and presentations
• Ako Aotearoa Alert - our quarterly newsletter
• 2009 conference and event sponsorship
• Background information
• Contact information

Our vision

The best possible educational outcomes for all learners.

Our mission

By focusing on enhancing the effectiveness of tertiary teaching and learning practices, Ako Aotearoa will assist educators and organisations to enable the best possible educational outcomes for all learners.

Our view on teaching and learning

Our use of the Māori word ‘Ako’ reflects our view that teaching and learning are two interactive parts of the whole education experience. Learning should be active and learners have responsibilities as well as rights. Teachers modify and improve their practice by interacting with active learners.

Our commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi

Ako Aotearoa is committed to becoming a treaty-based organisation, embracing the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will also work within the context of the Māori Tertiary Education Framework. In particular, Ako Aotearoa will look to develop partnerships with Māori through the establishment of a Māori caucus and a wider Māori reference group. We will support and learn from Māori for Māori initiatives.

Our value proposition

Ako Aotearoa leads the drive to establish what counts as good teaching and learning in Aotearoa-New Zealand and provides the impetus to make it happen, so that teaching is more effective, is better valued and produces the best possible outcomes for learners and the nation.

Working across the whole sector

Ako Aotearoa will ensure an inclusive approach as we proactively seek to address issues in all tertiary learning contexts. We believe there is much that different parts of the sector can learn from each other.

We will work across the whole tertiary sector, involving universities, institutes of technology and polytechnics, wānanga, private tertiary education providers, adult and community education and workplaces.

In this way, we will look to add value to organisations where initiatives to support effective teaching and learning outcomes are already underway and work to build capability for similar programmes where they may not yet be available.

To meet our commitments, Ako Aotearoa will build effective relationships with three stakeholder groups:

• organisations (including tertiary education organisations, government agencies, employers and unions)
• educators (including staff engaged in learning support)
• learners.

Our Goals

• Foster and support efforts to enhance learning and teaching
• Support research and inquiry into effective teaching and learning
• Identify and celebrate excellent teaching practice
• Act as a knowledge repository and resource to support effective teaching and learning
• Provide policy advice on learning and teaching within the tertiary education sector

Our Strategic Themes

• Celebrate good teachers and identify and share good practice
• Support research and its application
• Support and evaluate new ideas
• Work across the whole sector with all stakeholders
• Raise the level of debate about tertiary teaching and learning
• Support and learn from kaupapa Māori
• Enhance educational opportunities for Pacific Peoples
• Raise expectations for all learners
• Develop a sustainable organisation