Critical action research is contextualized in a low socioeconomic, multicultural urban school in Auckland, New Zealand. The writers are a university lecturer (mentor) and a school principal (critical action researcher). The research was part of a meta project which aimed to raise the achievement of Maori (indigenous) students. Research processes incorporated Freirean dialogical processes, cross cultural learning and teacher professional development. The research outcomes for students are critically examined. (Contains 1 table and 1 note.)