About Us
Managing Director | Kaiako
Joshua Wetere
Joshua, the founder of Auraki Mai, a teaching excellence award recipient in 2020, and 2022. He is an experienced
Māori Education Lecturer for the University of Waikato. Joshua has taught in undergraduate, graduate diploma and master’s level Initial Teacher Education programmes, and across the early childhood, primary and secondary education sectors.
Joshua's work is centrally positioned within second language acquisition, cultural competency, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, te reo and tikanga Māori development. Joshua is passionate about the revitalisation of te reo and tikanga Māori. His teaching approach emphasises creating an environment where you feel safe and
confident in your learning journey.
Who am I
Ko Wai Ahau
He pāpā ahau - I am a father
He hoa rangatira ahau - I am a husband
He tauira mō ake ahau - I am a long-life learner
He pouwhakaako ahau - I am an educator
He tangata kaingākau ahau ki te reo Māori - I am passionate about the Māori language
He Māori ahau - I am Māori
He tangata anō ahau - and I am human
Auraki Mai
Who Are We
"Auraki Mai" translates to "welcome" or "come back" in te reo Māori. It carries the connotation of hospitality, invitation, and a welcoming spirit. We work to create a warm, safe, inclusive learning environment where you are welcomed back anytime.
Auraki Mai was established upon the premises of the current cultural shift across educational institutions, governing bodies, and corporate organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand; to become more culturally aware, literate, and competent in te reo and tikanga Māori. Auraki Mai is underpinned by second language acquisition theory and effective pedagogy, we aim to create a safe learning environment that effectively meets the learning needs of our clients and communities.
Our Principles
Ngā Mātāpono
- Whakarauora - Contribute to the revitalisation and normalisation of te reo and tikanga Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.
- Kia Whakamana - To empower Māori and non-Māori individuals and
communities to engage, thrive and achieve in te ao Māori / Māori cultural contexts in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.
- Kia Mana Ōrite - To encourage positive working and relational partnerships with Māori communities, Māori legal entities and Māori stakeholders.
- Kia Manaaki - To provide a readily and accessible pathway for communities to learn te reo and tikanga Māori, which is grounded in the principle of manaaki (cultural safety) and aroha (compassion and genuine regard for people).