Breaking into Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti caucuses during classes regarding Aotearoa’s colonizing history, is a practice employed at Wintec on undergraduate Social Work and Counselling programs (Bachelor of Social Work and Paetahi Tumu Korero, Wintec, 2021) continuously for approximately 15 years. In 2009 research of students’ experience of the practice was published revealed among other things marked differences between the way Māori and non-Māori students experienced the practice, positive shifts in consciousness regarding white privilege and development of cultural identity. Since 2009 both programs have been re-developed. While aspects of the teaching differ today, caucusing and adjacent supporting practices remain. Tutors continue to observe relevant benefits gained by students, as well as grappling with challenges provided by the approach.

Twelve years since the study the original researchers prepare to investigate the practice, including current students’ experiences, so as to establish further understanding. In preparation they invite symposium participants to a discussion of the practice, original research and plans for the next stage.