Inaugural Lecture by Professor Tony Trinick

Please join Professor Tony Trinick and his whānau at 4.30pm for his Inaugural Lecture in lecture theatre 201- 440 followed by refreshments.

This professional lecture explores my academic journey and role in the development of the language of pāngarau (Māori-medium mathematics) over the past 30 years, within the context of Māori language revitalisation in Aotearoa. It examines the pivotal role played by influential figures and the profound impact of historical linguistic ideologies and policies on the development of the pāngarau register. The evolution of the mathematical register reflects a blend of community-driven initiatives and broader sociolinguistic influences. Despite challenges such as linguistic purism, and the ramifications of educational policies, there has been considerable progress in its development. It has been more than a technical exercise, but critically has epitomised the commitment of teachers and whānau to teaching pāngarau in te reo Māori. This resonates with Wittgenstein's notion of "talking mathematics into existence," emphasising the essential role of language usage in shaping mathematical concepts.

I originate from Te Whānau-ā-Apanui. I attended teachers college in the late 1970s and then taught in a variety of primary and secondary schools, notably at Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae when teaching in te reo Māori was emerging in the early 1980s. Transitioning to the Advisory Service at Auckland College of Education in the early 1990s, I supported teachers to teach pāngarau and pūtaiao. I joined ACE as a lecturer in the mid 1990s and then UoA in 2006 specialising in pāngarau and pūtaiao education. My key research focus has been on te reo Māori and mathematics education. Since the 1980s, I have been involved in a range of national projects that have required the elaboration of te reo Māori to teach, to learn and to assess pāngarau necessitating in the development of new terms and ways of expressing ideas.

Host or Publisher UoA, Faculty of Education and Social Work