Kaupapa Maori theory serves as the overarching philosophical framework for twointerrelated projects discussed in depth in this article: (a) the New Zealand Ministryof Education funded Kaupapa Maori Learning and Assessment Exemplar Project(KMLAE); and (b) the author's doctoral work, which chronicles the progress ofparticipating Maori centers toward the development of Maori early childhoodassessment approaches.