Biculturalism and the society of the Sacred Heart in Aotearoa New Zealand

Biculturalism is the nexus of cultural beliefs and values of two diametrically opposed worldviews; te ao Māori (the Māori world) and that of the Sacred Heart. The project explores the tension between Māori thought and the ideology of the Sacred Heart. It is envisaged that this exploration will provide meaningful and innovative ways to reconcile the differences so that the integrity of both te ao Māori and the ideology of the Sacred Heart are maintained and respected. The research question is framed as a hypothesis: The positive values of te ao Māori and the intrinsic humanism of the Sacred Heart contributes to developing a meaningful bicultural framework at Baradene College of the Sacred Heart. It is anticipated that embedding biculturalism within Baradene College of the Sacred Heart will lead to better outcomes, academically, culturally and personally for Māori students. It is hoped that this research will also provide an opportunity for Baradene College of the Sacred Heart to realise more fully its commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi, current educational policies, legislation and indigenous human rights, as well as the Sacred Heart way of educating