This research investigated how mātauranga Māori through a pūrākau could be used to increase a tauiwi teacher’s confidence and practice within a tuakana–teina learning relationship. Mātauranga Māori relates to the interwoven connections between humans and the world that inform tikanga. Relationship with the local hapū and their tikanga of partnership and whakamana provided a framework of whanaungatanga, through which ako occurred between the hapū and the tuakana–teina. The specific localised pūrākau presented a new pedagogical paradigm, inviting the tuakana–teina into an intensely collaborative, dynamic, personalised learning journey that promoted role modelling by the tuakana and risk taking by the teina. Further research is needed to investigate how this relationship could be replicated with other staff at different schools with different pūrākau.