1. E Rima Ngā Matimati
Created by Myra Mckay
E Rima Ngā Matimati
(Five Fingers)
Written and created by Myra Arapera Mckay
E Rima
Ngā Matimati

2. E Rima Ngā Matimati
Created by Myra Mckay
Kia tuwhera te ao
ki ngā rangatira mō apōpō.

3. E Rima Ngā Matimati
Created by Myra Mckay
This programme is designed primarily for our Māori parents and caregivers to give them a holistic
experience and view of learning for and with their tamariki. All the whakaaro and strategies have
been arranged by a parent whose tamahine started kura knowing how to read in both Māori and
English and with full number knowledge up to 10. This parent is now a qualified primary school
teacher who completed her studies while nurturing her childs early years education.
Objectives of this programme.
1. Empower the parents to understand the influences the past has on the future. What was
theirs and their parents and grandparents education like? How is their experience affecting
the tamariki of today?
2. Encourage parents to be pro-active in the education of their tamariki by becoming an active
component of their tamariki’s learning community.
3. Creating a passion in parents to be a part of their tamariki’s learning without the stress of
thinking it takes money to have a successful education by giving them knowledge, tools and
strategies that are simple and fun.
4. Preparing tamariki for a successful start to the education.
Prospective outcomes
1. Better relationship between tamariki and parents/caregivers
2. Better relationship between parents and teachers/kura
3. Tamariki start kura/school prepared for a successful learning journey
What does the programme cover?
There are 3 kete:
Kete 1:
Education history for Māori. We need to understand the past so we know how to move forward.
Kete 2:
Taking ownership of education for your tamariki. Learning does not start and finish at the gates
of the kura/school.
Kete 3:
Basic knowledge tools that children need to thrive in any education facility.

4. E Rima Ngā Matimati
Created by Myra Mckay
Kete 1: Education history for Māori.
Covers the education spectrum from the early 1800’s right up till today. How Māori education was
conditioned and shaped over the years demonstrating the failures and successes of various
education initiatives.
Areas covered.
Education prior to the arrival of settlers – Traditional parenting tikanga.
Missionary education initiatives and literacy.
Policies and legislation that greatly affected Māori education e.g. Native Schools Act.
Rev John Thornton – Te Aute College
Royal Commission Report
Revival of Te Reo
Establishment of Māori learning initiatives – Kohanga, Wananga, Kura Kaupapa Māori.
Where education is today
Te Kahikitia.
Kete 2: Taking ownership of education for your tamariki.
Areas covered:
Building a relationship with your child’s school
Te Kahikitia – Realising Māori Potential
Participating in your childs learning at school by supporting them at home.
Different learning approaches – Immersion, Kura Kaupapa Māori, Mainstream
Understanding what style of learning your child prefers – kinaesthetic, visual, auditory.
Kete 3: Basic knowledge tools for a great start to kura/school.
Real activities that can and will deliver a strong education beginning for any child prior to starting
kura.
Strategies covered:
Tikanga E Rima Ngā Matimati -5 fingers of learning
Total Physical Response – Learning Module
Getting your tamariki to OWN their learning
Decoding tools
Scaffolding/Cumulative learning strategies.
Praise and rewards provide learning leverage
Creating your own learning tools
Charting learning progress – Ages and stages, Well Child Book, NZ curriculum standards

5. E Rima Ngā Matimati
Created by Myra Mckay
Tikanga E Rima Ngā Matimati - 5 fingers of learning
There are 5 identified areas for learning that occur in a specific order as follows:
The number 5 and the letter R are being used as an example here.
1. Rangi – sound
Understand the ‘sound’ that symbols make e.g. the number “5” and the letter “r”
2. Tohu – sign/symbol
Recognising and identifying the symbols “5” and “r”
Being able to write these symbols on call, at will
3. Pikitia – picture
Understanding things that represent the number symbols e.g.
= 5
Word and picture association
Rāpeti
4. Mahi - Work
The work that symbols do, the problems they solve:
e.g. addition 2 + 3 = 5, subtraction 4-1=3
Letters make words e.g. the letters in your name.
5. Whanaungatanga – relationship
How numbers relate to each other in different ways : counting in order forwards and backwards,
more and less, bigger and smaller.
Letters: Letters standing next to each other make new sounds – letter blends. Māori alphabet song
– use of vowels and consonants.

6. E Rima Ngā Matimati
Created by Myra Mckay
Participant evaluation feedback from the 1st
pilot workshop.
The first pilot was held at the offices of Muaupoko Tribal Authority on 2 July 2014.
“I felt like I learnt a lot more about myself today.”
“Myra made it real by being with us not above us.”
“....was very informative with history and learning.”
“The most helpful was actually the history of education and history of our
people.”
“....interesting and easy to relate to.....”
All participants indicated that they felt more positive about helping their
tamariki learn.
If you are interested in attending or hosting an ERNM
workshop please email:
myrahirai@yahoo.com