Why do we do this?
There are evaluative processes in our life as an institution, school, support centre, or programme that can be a chore for leaders at set times OR we can see them as opportunities to gather our teams together for reflective conversation. Drawing from evidence we seek to pay close attention to the strengths of our collective work, and to continuing issues or newly emerging ones, with a view to setting goals for continuing improvement – all mindful of the people and relationships involved, within our team and with our stakeholders.
Such conversations could be life-giving, as an article published in Pou Tukutuku in April 2019 attests.
What is Āta? What is Āta-kōrero?
Āta is a tohu from Te Ao Māori that invites us into careful and deliberation paying of attention, and practising deep thoughtfulness mindful of relationships. It has been introduced into Social Practice and to Education by kaumatua Taina Wahakaatere Pohatu.
As Pohatu notes:
“Āta…accords quality space of time (wĀ) and place (wĀhi)…demands effort and energy of participants…conveys the notion of respectfulness…of reciprocity…the requirement of reflection, the prerequisite to critical analysis…the requirement of discipline…[and] ensures that the transformation process is an integral part of relationships” (Taina Whakaatere Pohatu, Āta: Growing Respectful Relationships, http://www.rangahau.co.nz/assets/Pohatu/Pohatu%20T.pdf (Cited 5 December 2018), 5.
When added to a verb, Āta lends its weight to the action.
Ako Ahimura Mātauranga Māori and Te Korowai Kahurangi intend, going forward, to promote Āta-kōrero: Evaluative Conversations.
This process, drawing upon other verbs that, when combined with Āta, calls us to deep and wholistic deliberation as we evaluate our work together.
- Āta-haere: Preparation for a conversation
- Āta-titiro: Looking over the landscape/Reading your evidence
- Āta-whakaaro: Interpreting your evidence/Reflecting
- Āta-tohutohu: Setting SMART goals for continuing improvement
- Āta-tuhi: Reporting on (a point of accountability)
A visual resource
The poster visually represents this process, building on the foundation of the principles of Te Noho Kotahitanga – our partnership: Rangatiratanga (Authority and Responsibility), Whakaritenga (Legitimacy), Kaitiakitanga (Guardianship), Mahi Kotahitanga (Cooperation), and Ngākau Māhaki (Respect/Generosity of Spirit). (Images created by Hohepa Renata).
Note also the Guiding Principles of Āta that set expectations for how we will engage with one another.
We are very grateful to the Reo and Tikanga Committee for the whakaritenga they have lent to this work, and to the Ako Ahimura Mātauranga Māori team for their rangatiratanga (leadership) and kaitaikitanga.
Last updated: 8/10/2019