Margaret May Blackwell Travel Fellowship

The Flyway of the Kuaka: A journey of connection, inquiry and storytelling across oceans

I’m excited to share some special news with you all — I have been awarded the Margaret May Blackwell Travel Fellowship, a national recognition given each year to an early childhood teacher undertaking research and travel to enrich teaching and learning in Aotearoa.

I applied for this fellowship in hopes of growing and strengthening my skills as a teacher and developing opportunities to expand the world of children through conservation initiatives, exploration and discovery. My intention is to facilitate a place-based inquiry project that connects tamariki to their whenua and the wider world. An inquiry that weaves together mātauranga Māori, conservation science, whilst strengthening children’s identity as kaitiaki and global citizens. I am so excited that I get to turn dreams into reality and do this project alongside our Bream Bay kindergarten children. It’s going to be epic!

Here is what I’ll be doing throughout 2026…

Expedition:  Flyway of the Kuaka

Travel to South Korea and Alaska.

I will travel along the flyway of the Kuaka, stopping at South Korea and Alaska to view/study the Kuaka and to contact with Early Childhood Centres in these areas. My aim is to develop authentic and meaningful connections so that we can set up exchange of information between children and teachers, focusing on research of the Kuaka whilst they visit each country.

Inspiration from the kuaka (godwit) — This incredible bird travels thousands of kilometres from the shores of Alaska to Aotearoa, completing an epic 9-12 days of non-stop flight. Record breaking, the Kūaka holds the world title for the longest flight. For a few precious months they gather here in Ruakaka, resting, feeding and preparing for the next stage in their journey. Nature calls, and by early April our Kūaka friends have left our shores for the breeding grounds of Alaska, stopping along the way in places such as South Korea and Japan. What an amazing opportunity to study these birds and experience in some small way, their flyway expedition.

Expedition into conservation

Travel to Cape York Australia

This aspect of my journey focuses on learning the skills and strategies necessary to nurture conservation learning with children. This is an excursion into the wild Northern Territory of Australia, to work alongside other teachers in professional development. This is hands on conservation work with turtles and is led by indigenous knowledge holders of the area. Such an exciting opportunity to learn and grow as a teacher!

Expedition into practice

Travel to Reggio Emilia in Italy

It has long been a dream of mine to attend professional learning at the birthplace of the world-renowned Reggio approach to teaching and learning.

The Reggio-inspired approach to teaching and learning is a philosophy that views children as capable, curious and full of potential. Learning is seen as a process of exploration and discovery, driven by the child’s interests and questions. Teachers act as co-learners and researchers – listening, observing, and guiding. The environment is considered the “third teacher”, designed to inspire inquiry and collaboration. Documentation of learning makes children’s thinking visible and supports reflection. Relationships, community, and respect for children’s voices are at the heart of this approach.

This aspect of my scholarship focuses on attending an international study tour in Italy, where I’ll be engaged in professional learning alongside other teachers from around the world.

Expedition into practice

Travel to Croatia

And lastly, a quick trip from Italy to Croatia, sees me attending further professional learning on conducting Project work with children which  will help me bring everything together.

Flyway of the Kuaka – An Exhibition of learning

Throughout this entire process, I will be documenting children’s learning, as well as my own along the way. I look forward to sharing this learning with our community — through stories, reflections, and in ways we can together strengthen our children’s pathways of discovery.

This bird is known for its long journey and guided by intuition, endurance, and connection. In the same way, this fellowship will support me to explore how we, as teachers, whānau and community, can nurture children’s sense of belonging, curiosity, and connection to people and place.

I hope you are as excited as I am!

Ngà mihi nui

Tania