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place to develop an <strong>early</strong> childhood profession that has the knowledge and skills to<br />

implement effective Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong>. Ritchie (2003, p. 101) aga<strong>in</strong> correctly<br />

considered that both “teacher educators and professional development providers<br />

have a huge responsibility to provide the momentum and substance to make this<br />

vision a reality”.<br />

Almost by way of be<strong>in</strong>g a sole commentator and <strong>in</strong> yet another<br />

contribution, Ritchie (2002b) suggested that a possible aim for the <strong>early</strong> childhood<br />

teacher education programme at the University of Waikato (which could also be<br />

relevant to other providers) might <strong>in</strong>volve “provid<strong>in</strong>g opportunities for students to<br />

ga<strong>in</strong> the commitment, knowledge, competence, confidence, and receptivity that<br />

will enable them to facilitate bicultural development <strong>in</strong> <strong>early</strong> childhood centres” (p.<br />

334).<br />

As <strong>early</strong> childhood teachers cont<strong>in</strong>ue to professionalise themselves with 3-<br />

year qualifications (e.g. Diploma of Teach<strong>in</strong>g or Bachelor of Education) the onus is<br />

on providers to equip their graduates to be effective Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> practitioners.<br />

Cameron and Baker (2004) reported on an audit by Te Puni Kokiri <strong>in</strong> 2001 which<br />

concluded that teacher education providers needed to better equip <strong>early</strong> childhood<br />

graduates to more effectively teach Māori children. Likewise, research conducted<br />

by Kane (2005) and her team was <strong>in</strong>conclusive about teacher education providers‟<br />

commitment to Te Tiriti. Their concern was that additive programmes like Taha<br />

Māori, with which Māori researchers (Bishop, 1996; Heta-Lensen, 2005; G. H.<br />

Smith, 1990) have issue, cont<strong>in</strong>ue to be offered. In addition, with an already<br />

crowded teacher education <strong>curriculum</strong> (Buckland, 2001; McGee, 1997) it is<br />

unlikely teacher education programmes can be transformed <strong>in</strong> the near future. This<br />

is because a lack of fluency <strong>in</strong> te reo Māori rema<strong>in</strong>s a major obstacle, especially<br />

when teacher educators themselves are monocultural and monol<strong>in</strong>gual.<br />

Despite these concerns, I contend that <strong>early</strong> childhood teacher education<br />

providers still rout<strong>in</strong>ely seek to equip graduates with a battery of skills and<br />

understand<strong>in</strong>gs which will enable them to implement Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong> upon<br />

graduation. But seek<strong>in</strong>g to do someth<strong>in</strong>g does not necessarily lead to success.<br />

Recently, Dalli (2008) reported on a national survey of the professional practices of<br />

qualified teachers. She described three ma<strong>in</strong> themes of professional practice:<br />

pedagogy, professional knowledge and practice, and collaborative relationships.<br />

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