In this paper we discuss ongoing challenges for Maori-medium initial teacher education in addressing conceptual, linguistic and pedagogical tensions that impact on developing mathematics education programmes. These include the small pool of applicants with the necessary linguistic and cultural knowledge required to teach in Maori-medium settings. Maori-medium schooling has the dual goals of providing a learning environment where Maori ways of knowing and being are taken for granted and students have access to international notions of academic success. However, many Maori-medium initial teaching education applicants have learnt mathematics in English and have had varying levels of access to Maori practices that could be taught alongside mathematics. To address these challenges, we utilise the cultural symmetry model to guide the design and delivery of Maori-medium initial teacher education tasks using wayfinding. Thereby illuminating Maori practices and school mathematics curriculum simultaneously.