Niho Taniwha
Niho Taniwha is a framework for place-based and systems-learning developed from working with Whānau, Hapori (communities) and other partners across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Niho Taniwha draws respectfully from Mātauranga Māori to encourage a culturally grounded and values-led set of practices that weave learning and evaluative practice through processes of change, innovation and implementation.
Nau mai ki te kaupapa o Niho Taniwha! We invite you to explore Niho Taniwha using the resources below.
About
Niho Taniwha is a framework designed to bridge the gap between ‘on-the-ground’ learning with Whānau and Hapori, and the systems that influence investment and decision-making.
Niho Taniwha integrates Mātauranga Māori and Indigenous perspectives with Western knowledge, creating a responsive and adaptable framework that supports diverse contexts and Kaupapa.
Niho Taniwha is centered around three key Pou:
Systems change
Outcomes for Whānau
Strategic learning
Developed alongside Whānau and Hapori in Aotearoa, this approach aims to shift public sector commissioning, policy, and capability towards a more bottom-up, place-based way of working.
Introduction
The Story of Niho Taniwha.
Inside this document you will find:
The journey and Whakapapa of Niho Taniwha
The Mātauranga that grounds its key elements (Te Whāriki, Wāhi Ako)
Core aspects of the framework and practice
Examples of Niho Taniwha practice applied
Baseline practices to guide authentic use
A 4-page printable summary of the key elements of Niho Taniwha is also available for download.
Overview
Nau mai ki Te Tirohanga Whakawhānui o Niho Taniwha
This document provides an overview of Niho Taniwha in presentation form, including its purpose, key elements and essential baseline practices.
Practice Guide
Nau mai ki Ngā Utauta Mātauranga o Niho Taniwha
This Practice Guide offers a range of tools and activities to support teams in applying the Niho Taniwha framework within their Mahi.
Tools are mapped against Te Whāriki, Wāhi Ako and across the framework as a whole. Some tools include activity templates which can be downloaded below.
Webinar
Niho Taniwha: A Systems Learning Framework
Presenters: Angie Tangaere, Eruini Hawke and Riki-Lee Saua
In this Practice Foundations session, The Lab shares the key dimensions and practices of Niho Taniwha and examples of how it has been applied.
Explore past webinars on Niho Taniwha:
Report
Kia Tipu Te Ao Mārama
This paper, written in 2021, shares the journey and role of Te Korekoreka and Niho Taniwha, evaluative frameworks that underpin the learning environments within Tokona te Raki (an indigenous social innovation arm of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu) and The Southern Initiative (a social innovation initiative within Auckland Council, based in the south and west of Tāmaki Makaurau).
Community of Practice
Join our Niho Taniwha Community of Practice, a space to connect, share, and learn alongside others using the Niho Taniwha framework within their mahi.
Our first hui is planned for early November (date TBC). If you would like to join us, please register your interest below.
