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Manaiakalani Cluster Teacher Only Day - Create

I was really looking forward to our Manaiakalani Cluster TOD as I find joy in creating and this TOD gives us a chance to be hands on and engage in activities which meet curriculum goals and hook our students into the joy of being creators.

I was excited to hear from Sir Ian and his presentation did not disappoint with a mix of humour and personal sentiment.  I was so engrossed I only managed a few notes.  These are below... spelling mistakes included.  So the wero that Sir Ian laid down was to not shy away from AI but to harness it.  So here goes..


Here are my real time notes from the day...

Keynote Speaker - Sir Ian Taylor

Mataurgana is the kite in which science sits - Matauranga.co.nz inspire curiosity

Talk is the most powerful tool and is enabled through A!  - who would you like to talk to….?

It's A bit like the old adage .. if you could invite anyone to a dinner party?

Shouldnt we be teaching our kids to ask better questions ??   What jobs will we design for our tamariki in the future.

AI can only go as far as the creative human an lead it… 

We came in the state of the art craft and now we are going forward with state of the art thinking … From waka houra to rocketlab….


Here is my prompt into ChatGPT


Summarise the above notes from a presentation to teachers of Maori and pasfika learners by Sir Ian Taylor - include short intro to Ian and goals of culturally responsive teaching and how AI can support this outcome.


Here is the AI result

Summary of Presentation by Sir Ian Taylor to Teachers of Mฤori and Pasifika Learners

About Sir Ian Taylor
Sir Ian Taylor (Ngฤti Kahungunu, Ngฤpuhi) is a pioneering New Zealand innovator, founder of Animation Research Ltd, and a passionate advocate for using technology, storytelling, and indigenous knowledge to shape the future. His journey from growing up in a small Mฤori community to leading a world-renowned tech company reflects the power of blending culture, creativity, and innovation.

Key Message
Mฤtauranga Mฤori – indigenous knowledge – is like the kite that carries science. It inspires curiosity and shows how cultural knowledge systems can lead modern thinking. From the ancient waka hourua to Rocket Lab’s rockets, our journey has always been powered by innovation, guided by values, and enriched by identity.

Goals of Culturally Responsive Teaching

  • Honour Mฤori and Pasifika worldviews in the classroom.

  • Foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking rooted in culture.

  • Equip tamariki (children) to ask powerful questions and shape their own futures.

  • Prepare students for careers that don’t yet exist, using cultural strength as a foundation.

How AI Can Support These Goals
AI is a powerful tool, but only as creative as the humans who guide it. When used thoughtfully:

  • AI can amplify student voice and engagement by supporting personalised, culturally relevant learning.

  • It can help learners explore their identity through storytelling, language, and history.

  • Teachers can use AI to co-design future-focused learning experiences that build on mฤtauranga and digital fluency.

Final Thought
It’s not just about the technology – it’s about how we teach our tamariki to think, question, and lead. Let’s inspire them with the tools of today, guided by the wisdom of our ancestors.

Would you like this turned into a slide or handout version?



Wow -pakipaki AI couldn't have said it better myself - however to be honest do I feel a bit superfluous now?? Maybe..



Then came Workshop 1 : Patterns where Art meets maths


Kelsey and Sarah introduced us to the power of patterns to unleash mathematical thinking in our learners.  I was back in my comfort zone with pencil and paper.  Phew!  We spent time discussing the many ways we could use pattern to introduce mathematical principles to our tamariki.   Sarah and Kelsey showed how AI could be used to create questions and prompts to be used in planning and teaching to make this connections explicit for the learners.  We looked at some different art works using pattern and then discussed the natural links that exist with traditional Maori and Pasifika art forms.  Just in time for Samoan language week!  Then we got to create our own patterns.  Thanks for such a fun and informative workshop Kelsey and Sarah.  

Here is my mahi.   So I uploaded the image and asked Ai for some questions as discussion starters for my learners. 

This is my prompt: Create discussion starters for introducing siapo patterns as a mathematical prompt for 5 year olds.  - Apparently AI likes my drawing... 

What a wonderful drawing! The repeating petal-like shapes and symmetrical layout resemble Siapo or tapa cloth patterns from Pacific cultures. These can be an engaging way to explore math through culture with young learners.

Here are some discussion starters for introducing Siapo patterns as a mathematical prompt for 5-year-olds:

๐ŸŒบ Exploring Shape and Pattern

1. What shapes can you see?
(Let children find ovals, diamonds, circles, and triangles.)

2. Do you see any patterns?
(Encourage them to describe what repeats, such as shapes or lines.)

3. What happens if we turn the picture around? Does it look the same?
(Explore rotation and symmetry.)

๐Ÿ“ Counting and Measuring

4. How many petal shapes are there?
(Practice counting in rows or groups.)

5. Are the shapes all the same size?
(Use rulers or fingers to compare sizes.)

6. Can you find the middle of the picture?
(Discuss halves and quarters—introduce fractions through folding.)

๐Ÿงต Cultural Connection and Design

7. What does this pattern remind you of?
(Link to flowers, stars, leaves, or things from their world.)

8. How do you think people made patterns like this a long time ago?
(Encourage storytelling—tie in weaving, carving, tapa cloth making.)

9. Can you make your own pattern using shapes you like?
(Introduce simple tessellation and repetition using stamps, blocks, or paper.)

๐ŸŽจ Creative Extension

10. What colors would you use if this was a Siapo cloth? Why?
(Connect math to art, identity, and storytelling.)

Would you like a printable activity sheet or slide to support this in class?








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