Teaching and Learning Research Initiative announces new wave of funding recipients

The Teaching and Learning Research initiative (TLRI) is pleased to announce six exciting new research projects that were successful in the 2023 funding round. The TLRI congratulates and welcomes the new research teams. 

Established in 2003, the TLRI seeks to strengthen the relationship between educational research and teaching practice to improve outcomes for ākonga in Aotearoa.  

Funding is distributed through two pathways: Whatua Tū Aka, a kaupapa Māori pathway, and the Open pathway. This year, one new Whatua Tū Aka project has been selected, and within the Open pathway 2 Pacific-focused projects have been selected.

For our 2023 funding round, we would like to introduce: 

Tukua te mātauranga marautanga kia rere. The challenges of integrating mātauranga Māori into a Year 10 and 11 curriculum. Led by  Senior Lecturer. Sharyn Heaton, this two-year project involves a partnership between Hillcrest High School and Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa– Massey University

Equity for Mātauranga Māori in Mathematics Education. Led by Asst. Prof. Pania Te Maro, this three-year project involves a partnership between Te Kura ā-Iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano, Te Kura o Hato Hohepa te Kamura, Aronui Ltd, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whakarewa i te Reo ki Tūwharetoa, Te Whānau o te Arawaru bilingual unit, another kura yet to be confirmed and Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa- Massey University.

Beyond the classroom: Pacific-School partnership, leadership development and structural change. Led by Dr. Cherie Chu-Fuluifaga & Dr. Martyn Reynolds, this three-year project involves a partnership between Kāhui Ako Kapiti North, Kāhui Ako Dunedin Catholic Schools and  Te Herenga Waka- Victoria University of Wellington

Early childhood teacher practices for supporting oral language acquisition and competency for children from Pacific heritages. Led by Ass. Prof. Sue Cherrington, this two year project involves a partnership between A'oga Amata EFKS Newtown, Te Punanga o te Reo Kuki Airani, Moera and Waiwhetu Kindergartens (Hutt City Kindergartens) and Te Herenga Waka- Victoria University

Supporting children’s literacy skills and sense of belonging through co-created multilingual multimodal stories. Led by Dr. Naashia Mohamed this two-year project involves a partnership between Red Kite Preschool in Epsom, Red Kite Preschool in Mt. Albert and Waipapa Taumata Rau- Auckland University

Pacific Leadership in ECE: Privileging Culture, Community, and Enhanced Outcomes. Led by Dr. Maria Cooper, & Dr. Kiri Gould this two-year project involves a partnership between Akoteu Kato Kakala, Otara, A’oga Fa’a Samoa, Grey Lynn and Waipapa Taumata Rau- University of Auckland

Sheridan McKinley and Heleen Visser, from NZCER which manages the fund, said that the selection panels had been impressed with the high calibre of applications this year. “They are all very worthy recipients”.

About the Teaching and Learning Research Initiative  

The TLRI funds high-quality research projects that aim to improve outcomes for learners. All projects are partnerships between researchers and educators. 

In 2023 the TLRI fund prioritised the following areas: 

• Research on topics of strategic importance within the early childhood education (ECE) and/or compulsory school sectors.  
• Research that supports success for Māori learners as Māori in any sector.  
• Research that supports success for Pacific learners in any sector. 

The TLRI has been operating since 2003 and this year’s allocation means that a total of 181 research projects, each lasting between one and three years, have been funded. 

The TLRI is funded by the New Zealand government and administered by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research | Rangahau Mātauranga o Aotearoa.

For further information contact:  

Mailyn Webb: Kaiwhakarite Kaupapa | Programme Coordinator

Email: [email protected]