Working towards wellbeing rests on whanaungatanga and partnerships

The education system is in a period of significant change. Wellbeing is an increasing priority as schools reintegrate students after COVID-19 lockdowns and climate-related disasters. A large-scale curriculum refresh programme and the implementation of a new Aotearoa New Zealand histories curriculum are underway. These changes are encouraging schools to expand their focus on culture, identity, and mātauranga Māori within the curriculum. This article shares insights from a study of six primary schools with high wellbeing for Māori and non-Māori students. We examine how these schools undertook a change journey to better support the wellbeing, belonging, and identity of students, and, in particular, tamariki Māori. We also consider the implications for other schools undertaking similar journeys.