Hinengaro Balance Map
Mahere TÅ«Ähurutanga Ā· Mapping Emotions Across the Four Pou of Te Whare Tapa WhÄ
NgÄ WhÄinga Akoranga Ā· Learning Intentions
- Analyse how a single emotion affects ALL four pou of Te Whare Tapa WhÄ ā not just the mind
- Identify protective factors (Äwhina) and risk factors (pehanga) that affect emotional balance
- Understand that wellbeing is holistic ā a change in one pou ripples through the others
- Plan two concrete actions to support hinengaro balance this week
Paearu Angitu Ā· Success Criteria
- I can describe how my chosen emotion affects each of the four pou with specific examples
- I can name at least two protective factors that help me maintain balance
- I can identify at least one risk factor or pressure that destabilises my hauora
- My two next-step actions are specific and realistic ā something I can actually do this week
Hononga Marautanga Ā· Curriculum Alignment
Level 3ā4: understand the holistic nature of hauora and its relationship to wellbeing; use Te Whare Tapa WhÄ to analyse emotional experiences across physical, mental, social, and spiritual dimensions; develop strategies to maintain and improve personal wellbeing.
Mapping an emotion across four dimensions requires analytical thinking ā moving beyond "I feel sad" to understanding why, where it shows in the body, how it affects relationships, and what values or beliefs are at stake. This depth of self-analysis is a form of metacognition central to taha hinengaro development.
Te Whare Tapa WhÄ Ā· The Four Walls of Wellbeing
Developed by Sir Mason Durie, Te Whare Tapa WhÄ uses a house (whare) as a model: four walls, a roof, and a foundation. If any wall is weakened, the whole house is less stable. Wellbeing requires all four pou to be strong.
Taha Tinana Ā· Physical
Body: health, sleep, nutrition, movement, sensation, energy
Taha Hinengaro Ā· Mental/Emotional
Mind: thoughts, feelings, beliefs, memories, focus, self-talk
Taha WhÄnau Ā· Social
Relationships: whÄnau, friends, community, belonging, roles, communication
Taha Wairua Ā· Spiritual
Spirit: purpose, values, connection to whenua, faith, sense of identity
Te Mahere Ā· The Map
NgÄ Kare-Ä-roto i Äro ana i a mÄtou Ā· Emotion we are exploring:
Choose an emotion from this unit (e.g., anxiety, loneliness, grief, joy, anger, pride). Be specific if you can ā "anger when I feel ignored" is more useful than just "anger."
Taha Tinana
How does this emotion feel in your body? (tension, stomach, chest, sleep, appetite, energy)
Taha Hinengaro
What thoughts or beliefs come with this emotion? (self-talk, memories, trigger stories)
Taha WhÄnau
How does this emotion affect your relationships? (withdrawal, conflict, seeking support)
Taha Wairua
What does this emotion say about your values, purpose, or sense of who you are?
Äwhina me Pehanga Ā· Protective Factors and Pressures
Äwhina ā Protective Factors (what supports balance):
List routines, people, places, beliefs, kai, or practices that help you maintain wellbeing across all four pou.
Pehanga ā Risk Factors / Pressures (what destabilises the pou):
Name stresses, systems, habits, or situations that weaken your wellbeing. Be honest ā identifying risks is the first step to managing them.
NgÄ Ara TÅ«hono Ā· Next Steps ā Manaakitanga Plan
Agree on two specific actions you will take this week to support hinengaro balance. These should be small, realistic, and concrete ā not "be happier" but "go for a walk at lunchtime."
Action 1:
Action 2:
Who I will tell about these actions (accountability partner):
After this week ā did I follow through? What did I notice?
Aronga MÄtauranga MÄori
Te Whare Tapa WhÄ was developed by Sir Mason Durie in 1984 as a framework for understanding MÄori health that goes beyond the biomedical model. The framework insists that physical health cannot be separated from mental, social, and spiritual health ā all four walls of the whare must be strong for the person to be well. This is not metaphor: research consistently shows that social isolation affects physical health, that spiritual disconnection affects mental health, and that physical illness affects all other dimensions.
In te ao MÄori, taha wairua is not optional or supplementary ā it is foundational. Your connection to your tÄ«puna, your values, your whenua, and your sense of purpose is the foundation (the ground on which the whare stands). A student who understands this framework understands why wellbeing is not just about eating well and exercising. It is about belonging, purpose, and the continuity of connection across generations. Kia tÅ«pato, kia mÄia, kia manawaroa ā be careful, be courageous, be persistent.
NgÄ Rauemi Tautoko Ā· Support Materials
Resources already provided:
- This balance map ā use it independently whenever you want to understand an emotion more deeply
- Grounding Cards (unit-8-grounding-cards.html) ā six techniques for returning to the present when emotions overwhelm
- Koru Breath Card (unit-8-koru-breath-card.html) ā a focused breathing practice to support taha tinana and hinengaro
- Mindfulness Journal (unit-8-mindfulness-journal.html) ā track your mauri and practice over 5 days
Aronga RerekÄ Ā· Differentiated Pathways
TÄ«mata Ā· Entry Level
Choose the emotion. Complete two pou (Taha Tinana and Taha Hinengaro). List one protective factor and one risk. Write one next step. Work with a partner if that helps ā the conversation itself is part of the learning.
Paerewa Ā· On Level
Complete all four pou with specific examples in each. Identify at least two protective factors and one risk factor. Write two realistic next steps. Complete the accountability partner section.
TÅ«Äpae Ā· Extension
Complete all sections. Then write a paragraph: "How does the Te Whare Tapa WhÄ framework change how you understand this emotion compared to just saying 'I feel anxious'? What does mapping it across four dimensions reveal that a single-sentence description doesn't?" This analytical depth ā moving from experience to understanding ā is what makes the framework powerful.
š Teacher Planning Snapshot
NgÄ WhÄinga Ako ā Learning Intentions
Students will engage with this hauora resource to build holistic wellbeing knowledge, connecting te ao MÄori perspectives on hauora with personal, social, and environmental dimensions of health.
NgÄ Paearu AngitÅ« ā Success Criteria
- ā Students can explain key hauora concepts using their own words and personal examples.
- ā Students can connect te ao MÄori frameworks (e.g. Te Whare Tapa WhÄ) to real wellbeing contexts.
Differentiation & Inclusion
Scaffold support: Provide sentence starters, graphic organisers, and entry-level tasks to scaffold access. Offer extension challenges for capable learners to address a range of readiness levels.
ELL / ESOL: Pre-teach key vocabulary (hauora, wairua, tinana, hinengaro, whÄnau). Allow students to draw or respond in their home language as a first step.
Inclusion: Hauora topics can be sensitive ā create a safe learning environment. Neurodiverse learners benefit from choice in how they demonstrate wellbeing understanding. Use accessible, non-threatening language.