Awa Evidence Capture
He Kohinga Taunakitanga · Gathering Photos, Voices, and Data
Ngā Whāinga Akoranga · Learning Intentions
- Gather strong photographic, oral, and scientific evidence during an awa visit
- Record quotes accurately and attribute them to named sources
- Collect water quality data (pH, temperature, litter count) at the awa
- Select evidence that supports your advocacy message for your poster and speech
Paearu Angitu · Success Criteria
- I have captured at least 3 items of evidence — at least one photo, one quote, and one data point
- My quotes include who said them and in what context
- I can explain why each piece of evidence matters for my awa message
- I know where I will use each piece of evidence — in my poster or speech
Hononga Marautanga · Curriculum Alignment
Level 3–4: process and use information from different sources; evaluate the quality and relevance of evidence; select information to support a specific purpose.
Level 3–4: understand how people participate in community decision-making; value oral history and community testimony as evidence; connect local data to broader environmental issues.
Ngā Whakaahua · Photos (take at least 3)
For each photo, record what you photographed, why it matters, and how you'll use it. Strong evidence photos show both problems AND solutions.
Photo 1 — What I photographed:
Why it matters / what it shows:
Use in: ☐ Poster ☐ Speech
Photo 2 — What I photographed:
Why it matters / what it shows:
Use in: ☐ Poster ☐ Speech
Photo 3 — What I photographed:
Why it matters / what it shows:
Use in: ☐ Poster ☐ Speech
Ngā Kōrero · Quotes / Voice of the Awa
Record direct quotes from kaumātua, whānau, or community members. Always note who said it and when. A powerful quote is specific — it names places, times, species, or feelings.
""
Who said it (name + connection to awa):
Use in: ☐ Poster ☐ Speech
""
Who said it (name + connection to awa):
Use in: ☐ Poster ☐ Speech
Raraunga Pūtaiao · Data Snapshot
Record your scientific measurements at the awa. Note the location and time — data without context is just numbers.
Location in awa where tested:
Other observation:
What does this data tell us about awa health?
Arowhai Angitu · Quick Success Check
☐ I captured at least 3 items of evidence (photo / quote / data)
☐ Each quote has a named source and context
☐ I know which piece of evidence is going into my poster
☐ I know which piece of evidence I will speak about in my speech
My strongest piece of evidence is _____ because:
Tauira · What Good Evidence Looks Like
Tauira — Exemplar Evidence Set
Photos: (1) Close-up of stormwater drain with algae near the bridge. (2) Native flax planted on the bank by last year's class. (3) Shopping bag caught in tree branches overhanging the awa.
Quote: "When I was a child, we used to swim here and drink the water. Now I wouldn't let my mokopuna near it." — Whaea Aroha, kaumātua.
Data: pH 6.5 · Temperature 15°C · Litter count: 22 items (mostly plastic)
Why this is strong: The student captured a mix of evidence types — visual (problems AND solutions), human (a quote showing change over time), and numerical (specific, located data). This gives rich material for a poster that tells a compelling story.
Aronga Mātauranga Māori
In te ao Māori, kōrero (oral testimony) from kaumātua and whānau carries the same weight as scientific data. When Whaea Aroha says "the awa used to sing," she is not being poetic — she is sharing 60 years of systematic environmental observation that no sensor can replace. This handout teaches you to value both quantitative evidence (pH, litter count) and qualitative evidence (stories, quotes, photos). Real kaitiaki action needs both the numbers AND the voices of the people who know the awa.
The tikanga of evidence collection: always ask permission before photographing people or sacred sites. Always attribute quotes accurately — misquoting someone is a form of disrespect. Offer to share the finished project with the people you interviewed. They gave you knowledge; you give them back the story.
Ngā Rauemi Tautoko · Support Materials
Resources already provided:
- This evidence capture sheet — fill in during and immediately after the awa visit
- Awa Interview Prompts (awa-interview-prompts.html) — for kaumātua and community interviews
- Water testing kit (pH strips, temperature gauge, litter count tally) — provided by teacher
- Camera or phone (with permission) for photos — note what each photo shows
Aronga Rerekē · Differentiated Pathways
Tīmata · Entry Level
Capture 3 items: one photo description, one quote, and the pH + litter data. Complete the success check. Use your evidence in the poster template.
Paerewa · On Level
Complete all sections including both quotes (different sources). Write why your strongest evidence matters. Plan which evidence goes in poster vs speech.
Tūāpae · Extension
Complete all sections with 3+ photos, 2+ quotes, and full data. After the visit, write a paragraph explaining how your evidence set tells a more complete story than scientific data alone — what does the kaumātua quote add that the pH reading cannot? How do photos make data meaningful?
📋 Teacher Planning Snapshot
Ngā Whāinga Ako — Learning Intentions
Students will explore awa (river/water) as taonga, developing understanding of kaitiakitanga through water guardianship — connecting indigenous environmental knowledge with scientific and civic action.
Ngā Paearu Angitū — Success Criteria
- ✅ Students can explain the significance of awa in te ao Māori and their local community.
- ✅ Students can identify actions that reflect kaitiaki responsibilities for local waterways.
Differentiation & Inclusion
Scaffold support: Provide sentence starters and graphic organisers for inquiry tasks. Offer entry-level observation activities and extension challenges involving community advocacy or environmental data analysis.
ELL / ESOL: Pre-teach key te reo Māori terms (awa, kaitiaki, wāhi tapu, tūrangawaewae). Allow visual and diagrammatic responses. Bilingual glossaries strongly recommended.
Inclusion: Connect to students' own waterways and places of belonging. Neurodiverse learners benefit from structured field investigation templates and clear step-by-step inquiry protocols.