By incorporating Kahukura into their curriculum schools are working towards meeting the requirements of The New Zealand Curriculum.  This includes the Treaty of Waitangi and community engagement principles. It is one way of recognising local iwi as mana whenua, providing culturally congruent learning opportunities for tamariki and demonstrating a commitment to partnership, participation and protection. 

The New Zealand Curriculum provides information about effective pedagogy and teaching as inquiry which will greatly enhance learning experiences as they participate in the Kahukura programme.

This resource provides authentic opportunities to teach and learn te reo me ōna tikanga Māori and deepen student understanding and appreciation of the area where they live.  In this way Kahukura helps tamariki to develop the key competencies, in particular thinking, relating to others and participating and contributing.  The tasks encourage use of language, symbols and text.  By allowing tamariki to track their own progress and be responsible for monitoring the quality of their own work they will also have the opportunity to manage self.

Kahukura provides the framework for tamariki to engage meaningfully with iwi centric knowledge.  Teachers and whānau are able to adjust the activities so that regardless of age and ability the student is able to demonstrate understanding at an appropriate level for the individual tamaiti.

Links to NZC learning areas and achievement objectives are also available with the teacher and whānau support materials.