This study explored teaching and learning relationships that positively impacted on student learning and engagement, with a particular focus on the nature and impact of wairuatanga (spirituality) on the teaching and learning process. Located within a Wananga (a Maori indigenous tertiary education organization) context, researchers used a culturally responsive methodology, drawing on critical theory and Kaupapa Maori theory as underpinning paradigms. The primary method of data collection was face-to-face interviews. Key findings revealed that positive teaching and learning relationships were possible when kaiako (teachers) genuinely cared about their students, kaiako had high expectations of their students, and relationships were based on trust, authenticity, openness and the mutual sharing of ideas. Another important finding was that deeper connections between teacher and learner--described in this study as a spiritual connection--had positive spinoffs for teaching and learning, student wellbeing and student success inside and beyond the classroom.