Dr Daniel Hikuroa discusses Mātauranga Māori and its relationship to science and why he believes aspects of Mātauranga Māori should be included in the school science curriculum.

About Dr Daniel Hikuroa - www.maramatanga.co.nz/person/dr-daniel-hikuroa

Context to this conversation......

A New Zealand Government education report (see link below) is recommending parity for Mātauranga Māori [traditional Māori knowledge] in the secondary school curriculum, and in particular, in the science classroom.

The report states, "Our goal is to ensure parity for mātauranga Māori with the other bodies of knowledge credentialed by NCEA (particularly Western/Pākehā epistemologies)." 

The report also states, "Philosophy and History of Science is a unique strand in Pūtaiao [Māori word for science], with no equivalent in the New Zealand Curriculum. It promotes discussion and analysis of the ways in which science has been used to support the dominance of Eurocentric views (among which, its use as a rationale for colonisation of Māori and the suppression of Māori knowledge); and the notion that science is a Western European invention and itself evidence of European dominance over Māori and other indigenous peoples. Pūtaiao allows opportunities to incorporate Māori perspectives and knowledge about the natural world into the classroom. In this regard, it decentres Western epistemologies and methodologies." 

The Government education report

https://tinyurl.com/3yfry76h

Music: Kyrie from Bach B Minor Mass conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner

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