Culturally responsive pedagogy

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Culturally responsive pedagogy

HomeSchool resourcesCulturally responsive pedagogy

Topic summary

Culturally responsive pedagogies can reduce the gaps between the highest and lowest achievers while at the same time raising overall levels of achievement. 

Culturally responsive teaching is about making school learning relevant and effective for learners by drawing on students’ cultural knowledge, life experiences, frames of reference, languages, and performance and communication styles. This means making what students know, and how they know it, the foundation of learning and teaching interactions and curriculum. This is good for all students, but particularly so when there are significant differences between the world of the teacher and the world of the child. 

Culturally responsive teaching recognises and deeply values the richness of the cultural knowledge and skills that students bring to the classroom as a resource for developing multiple perspectives and ways of knowing. Teachers communicate, validate and collaborate with students to build new learning from students’ specific knowledge and experience. 

Culturally responsive pedagogies can reduce the gaps between the highest and lowest achievers while at the same time raising overall levels of achievement. Culturally responsive pedagogies raise student achievement for all cultural groups, ensuring that all students are given the encouragement and support to realise their educational potential regardless of their social, economic or cultural background or individual needs.

While student diversity is increasing, there is a general lack of diversity amongst New Zealand’s teachers. Cultural gaps between students and teachers, when left unaddressed, can lead to misunderstandings of teacher expectations on the part of the student, or of student behaviour on the part of the teacher. Most schools, teachers, curriculum documents and texts reflect, transmit and reproduce the discourse, knowledge and values of the mainstream culture, while excluding or negating those of minority or diverse groups. 

There is consistent evidence indicating that the relationships that teachers have with their students, including teachers showing genuine interest in their students and their culture, influences learning. There further is consistent evidence showing that students who feel welcome and comfortable in, and connected to, their school (and individual class/classroom/teacher) tend to show greater levels of engagement and academic achievement.

  • Teacher reflection on the changing interplay of curriculum, content and culture for each class or lesson is very important for culturally responsive teaching. It is important to
  • Reflect on your cultural knowledge and teaching assumptions related to culture 
  • Learn about your students 
  • Use students’ cultural knowledge, perspectives and skills as a resource for teaching 
  • Create a safe and supportive environment and build strong relationships 
  • Encourage a discursive curriculum and enable student self-determination 
  • Connect with families 
  • Connect with communities

  • How do your interactions with students reflect your attitudes about cultural difference? 
  • How do you value the diversity of your students? 
  • Are your expectations equally high for all your students?
  • What do you know about your students and their culture(s)?
  • How do you utilise the cultural knowledge funds that each student brings to your class?
  • How have you connected with your students, their families and the wider community?

Research reviews

The principles of culturally responsive teaching

An overview of key principles underpinning culturally responsive practice.

Seven principles to effectively support Māori students as Māori

A systematic look at some key principles for supporting Maori students to achieve success as Maori

Four strategies to effectively support Pasifika students

A closer look at some key strategies for supporting Pasifika students through culturally responsive pedagogies

Webinars

Understanding the relationship between a secure cultural identity and school engagement

NEW
Dr Tania Cliffe-Tautari discusses how attitudes and beliefs that kaiako hold consciously and unconsciously can be a significant factor leading to student engagement or disengagement at and from school.

Māori immersion at Westlake Boys High School

LIVE EVENT: 7.30PM TUESDAY AUGUST 26, 2025
Matua Johnny Waititi will talk about the journey to setting up Te Whānau Rūmaki o Te Puna, an immersion unit at Westlake Boys High School on Auckland’s North Shore

Free webinar: Māori achieving success as Māori part 2

Janelle Riki-Waaka returns to help educators to positively challenge their existing beliefs and perceptions about te ao Māori, and to build deeper understanding of the best ways to work alongside Māori and enact our responsibilities to te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Teaching and leading to the North-East

Professor Russell Bishop discusses his research into how leaders and teachers can structure their practice to create quality and equitable learning for ākonga Māori and other marginalised students.

Mātauranga Māori in education

This webinar explores questions related to mātauranga Māori in education.

Free webinar: Māori achieving success as Māori

Janelle Riki-Waaka explores what Māori achieving success as Māori means from a Māori worldview, and how teachers and schools can consider how well their environments and practices support ākonga Māori to succeed and thrive.
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Infographics

Snapshots

Understanding the relationship between a secure cultural identity and school engagement

Key insights from a webinar with Dr Tania Cliffe-Tautari of Waipapa Taumata Rau - The University of Auckland.

Conceptualising co-governance in education

Insights from Dr Alex Barnes' research into co-governance in one New Zealand school.

Partnership with whānau Māori and mana whenua

Key insights from our second webinar with Janelle Riki-Waaka.

Using dialogic approaches to deepen and extend students’ thinking and learning

Key insights from our webinar with Jacinta Olderhaver exploring dialogic approaches to teaching and learning.

Honouring Te Tiriti and promoting culturally empowering practices in schools

Key insights from the webinar with Janelle Riki-Waaka on supporting ākonga Māori to achieve success as Māori in schools.
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