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3. Reality is created <strong>in</strong> the moment, and there are multiple realities.<br />

4. The act of ask<strong>in</strong>g questions of an organization or group <strong>in</strong>fluences the group <strong>in</strong><br />

some way.<br />

5. People have more confidence and comfort to journey to the future when they carry<br />

forward parts of the past.<br />

6. If we carry parts of the past forward, they should be what are best about the past.<br />

7. It is important to value differences.<br />

8. The language we use creates our reality.<br />

(Yoder, 2005, p. 48)<br />

Appreciative <strong>in</strong>quiry as a methodology is about affirm<strong>in</strong>g and<br />

strengthen<strong>in</strong>g capabilities of participants through action (K. Walker & Carr-<br />

Stewart, 2004) and this will be discussed <strong>in</strong> more detail <strong>in</strong> chapter three. In this<br />

study data were derived from a specific case study with<strong>in</strong> which teachers were<br />

assisted <strong>in</strong> work<strong>in</strong>g from a strengths-<strong>based</strong> model so that they could more<br />

successfully implement Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> aspects of Te Whāriki.<br />

One of the basic assumptions of appreciative <strong>in</strong>quiry as articulated by<br />

Yoder (2005) is that reality is not only socially constructed but <strong>in</strong> addition there are<br />

many different perceptions of that reality. In relationship to this thesis, which is<br />

concerned with Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong>, one of the socially constructed and<br />

multiple realities is def<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g what biculturalism or Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> means. It is<br />

<strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g to note that many non-Māori authors and organisations were positive<br />

about the def<strong>in</strong>itions of biculturalism, see<strong>in</strong>g it a partnership, and shar<strong>in</strong>g (Banks,<br />

1988; Metge, 1990; M<strong>in</strong>isterial Advisory Committee on a Māori Perspective for<br />

the Department of Social Welfare, 1988; Spoonley, 1995), whereas Māori (Durie,<br />

2001; Johnston, 2001; O'Sullivan, 2007; G. H. Smith, 1990), see it as yet another<br />

form of colonisation and appropriation of <strong>in</strong>digenous culture and language.<br />

One of the ma<strong>in</strong> premises for appreciative <strong>in</strong>quiry, which Hammond<br />

(1998) as well as Yoder (2005) reiterate is the major assumption that <strong>in</strong> every<br />

organisation someth<strong>in</strong>g works and change, therefore, can be managed through the<br />

identification of what works. Research is directed towards what is positive, and<br />

<strong>in</strong>vestigat<strong>in</strong>g this (Reed, Pearson, Douglas, Sw<strong>in</strong>burne, & Wild<strong>in</strong>g, 2002). I<br />

reasoned that if appreciative <strong>in</strong>quiry provides participants opportunities to value<br />

their current practice, no matter how little of it there is, they may be further<br />

encouraged to develop Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong>. A central premise of appreciative<br />

19

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