Role

Arapera is a champion for te reo and te ao Māori tikanga and kaupapa among kaiako, tauira and tamariki, growing knowledge and learning of the language, culture and identity. In her role as Pouhere Kaupapa Māori, Arapera ensures that Te Rito Maioha maintains its bicultural integrity by providing cultural leadership and leading the implementation of our bicultural and Pacific strategic plans. She contributes to the development and delivery of Te Rito Maioha’s academic and professional development programmes delivered to the ECE sector sharing knowledge and capability through a Māori world view.

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Education Background

Arapera has been involved with early childhood education in multiple teaching and leadership roles since 1986, beginning her journey in Te Kōhanga Reo. She also has worked with the Ministry of Education leading professional development in ECE centres in the far North and providing early childhood support for Far North REAP. She joined Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa (now Te Rito Maioha) as a pouako in 2005.

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Research Background

Arapera’s research interests reflect her passion for te ao Māori: ko au te whenua, ko te whenua ko au – I am the land, the land is me. The connection is physical and spiritual, and integral to the survival and wellbeing of Māori. Shaped by her upbringing where traditions, customs and practices were lived every day, she understands the importance of taking care of our world. Tiaki i a Papatūānuku, ka tiaki ia i a koe – Take care of Papatūānuku and she will take care of you.

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Teaching Interests

Arapera is excited about sharing her knowledge with her students to encourage a deep understanding of te ao Māori. She is inspired by Sir Hirini Mead’s quote: “If it is good for Māori students it is good for all.”

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Recent Publications

Card, A. (2022). Culturally responsive and relational pedagogy - Whakapapa. In A. Card, R. Merry & J. Carroll-Lind (Eds.), Bicultural principles of teaching and learning online Ngā mātāpono kākano rua. NZCER Press and Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand.

Card, A. (2020). Ko tōku reo, ko tōku ao—My language is my world. In A. Card & J. Carroll-Lind (Eds.), Tōku anō reo Māori: My very own language. Occasional Paper Series 3 (pp. 124-132). Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand.

Williams, N., Savage A. & Card, A. (2015). Hidden messages within Whatumanawa. In N. Williams, J. Carroll-Lind & L. Smioth (Eds.), Tōku Anō Ao Māori: My Very own World. Occasional Paper Series 2 (pp. 74-78). Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand.

Card, A., Smith, M., & Watene, W. (2015). Ngā āhuatanga o ngā atua tāne nō mai rā anō: Characteristics of male deities in leadership roles. In N. Williams, J. Carroll-Lind & L. Smith (Eds.), Tōku Anō Ao Māori: My Very own World. Occasional Paper Series 2 (pp. 124-132). Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand.