Inclusive Teaching Practice Guidance
The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand is proud to announce the publication of this Inclusive Teaching Practice Guidance (ITPG). It aims to support kaiako to build and strengthen their inclusive teaching practice to meet the diverse range of abilities and interests of ākonga present in every centre, kura, and classroom.
On this page
What is Inclusive Teaching Practice Guidance?
The Inclusive Teaching Practice Guidance (ITPG) is a resource designed to help teachers and education leaders create learning environments where every ākonga feels welcome, supported, and able to thrive.
Whether you're in early learning, primary, secondary, or initial teacher education, the ITPG offers practical ideas you can use and adapt to suit your learners and your setting.
It’s not a rulebook – it's a flexible guide to help you do what you do best - teach in ways that uplift every learner. You can dip in and out, using strategies, examples, and tools that work for you and your community.
This resource was co-created with voices from across the education sector - teachers, leaders, disabled people, Māori educators, inclusive education specialists, ITE providers, union reps (PPTA and NZEI), and Ministry of Education advisers. It reflects the rich diversity of our profession.
The ITPG:
- connects inclusive education with high-quality teaching
- builds on your strengths and aspirations as a professional
- embeds the values of Whakamana, Manaakitanga, Pono, and Whanaungatanga.
Why it matters
The ITPG supports you to meet the Ngā Paerewa mō te Umanga Whakaakoranga | Standards for the Teaching Profession in ways that are practical, relevant, and grounded in inclusive values.
It builds on insights from recent ERO reports:
- Thriving at School? – Education for Disabled Learners in Schools
- A Great Start? – Education for Disabled Children in Early Childhood
These reports highlighted strong inclusive practices, especially in:
- schools with high equity index ratings, where disabled learners and whānau felt more supported
- English-medium schools with high numbers of ākonga Māori, where inclusive cultures were deeply embedded.
The ITPG celebrates these strengths and helps good practice grow across the sector.
It also responds to ERO’s key recommendations for the Teaching Council, including:
- strengthening the focus on teaching disabled learners in ITE, induction, and mentoring
- making inclusive practice more visible in Ngā Tikanga Matatika, Ngā Paerewa | Our Code, Our Standards
- prioritising disability in professional learning and development
- ensuring accessible, high-quality resources and support are available.
New Zealand is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – this is reflected in our legislation ensuring the right of disabled children to free education. In addition to recognising these rights, our work adopted a broader approach to be inclusive to all – to help kaiako to reflect on and adapt their teaching approaches to meet the varied needs of ākonga they see every day. We are grateful to the teachers, academics and those with lived experience of disability who helped develop the guidance, and the schools and centres who tested it in-situ.
What you’ll find in the ITPG
- Real-life case studies and examples you can relate to
- Strategies, tools, and ideas you can use straight away
- Links to professional learning to deepen your inclusive practice
- Opportunities to connect with communities of practice
It’s all built on the Martyn Rouse Knowing, Believing, Doing model, and guided by the values of Open Heart, Open Mind, and Open Arms - encouraging empathy, reflection, and meaningful action.
Using the framework of Open Heart, Open Mind, and Open Arms, the ITPG supports kaiako to reflect on their practice, access useful information, and grow their competency and confidence to teach in an inclusive way. It is also intended to be used collaboratively so kaiako can share their challenges, insights, and achievements.
Inclusive Teaching Practice Guidance
Ahakoa iti, he iti mapihi pounamu | The singular beauty and immense value of even the tiniest piece of fine greenstone. This encapsulates that each tamaiti is precious, deserving of care, protection, and respect.
This guide will remain available on our website to support teachers to reflect on and strengthen their inclusive teaching practice.
Open Heart
Ahakoa iti, he iti mapihi pounamu.
The Māori perception of the tamaiti is encapsulated in this whakatauāki, or proverb. It refers to the singular beauty and immense value of even the tiniest piece of fine greenstone.
Open Mind
Kei tēnā, kei tēnā, kei tēnā anō. Tōna ake āhua, tōna ake mauri, tōna ake mana.
Each and everyone has theirown uniqueness, life essence and presence.
Open Arms
Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu.
Adorn the bird with feathers so that it may soar.
Stay connected: My Rawa
My Rawa helps you deepen your practice with tailored professional learning and reflective tools. It’s your space to grow, stay inspired, and lead with confidence.
