❓ Āwhina Help & FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions and helpful tips for using Te Kete Ako

Getting Started | Tīmata Mai

Q: What is Te Kete Ako?
A: Te Kete Ako ("The Basket of Knowledge") is a free collection of high-quality educational resources for teachers and students in Aotearoa New Zealand. We provide unit plans, lesson plans, handouts, and interactive materials - all NZ Curriculum aligned and honoring Te Ao Māori perspectives.
Q: Do I need an account to use the resources?
A: No! You can browse and download all resources without creating an account. However, having a free account lets you save favorite resources to "My Kete" for easy access later.
Q: How do I create an account?
A: Click the "Login" button in the top navigation, then select "Create Account". You'll need an email address and password. Creating an account is free and takes less than a minute.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Te Kete Ako is completely free for all teachers and students in Aotearoa. We believe quality educational resources should be accessible to everyone.

Using Resources | Whakamahi Rauemi

Q: How do I print resources?
A: All our handouts and lesson plans are optimized for A4 printing. Simply use your browser's print function (Cmd+P or Ctrl+P). The page will automatically hide navigation and adjust formatting for beautiful printouts.
Q: Can I modify the resources for my classroom?
A: Yes! Feel free to adapt any resources to suit your students' needs. We encourage teachers to modify, remix, and personalize materials. Please maintain attribution to Te Kete Ako if sharing modified versions.
Q: Are resources aligned to the NZ Curriculum?
A: Yes! Every resource includes explicit connections to NZ Curriculum Achievement Objectives. You'll find curriculum alignment information at the top of each lesson plan and handout.
Q: How do I find resources for my year level or subject?
A: Use the navigation menus at the top to browse by:
  • Subject: Click "Subjects" to see resources for English, Math, Science, Social Studies, etc.
  • Year Level: Click "Year Levels" to filter for Years 1-13
  • Type: Click "Resources" to browse Unit Plans, Lesson Plans, or Handouts
You can also use the "Browse All Resources" page with filtering options.

Technical Questions | Ngā Pātai Hangarau

Q: The page isn't loading properly. What should I do?
A: Try these steps:
  • Refresh your browser (Cmd+R or F5)
  • Clear your browser cache
  • Try a different browser (we support Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
  • Check your internet connection
If problems persist, please contact us.
Q: Can I use Te Kete Ako on my phone or tablet?
A: Yes! Te Kete Ako is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktop computers. For the best experience on mobile, consider adding the site to your home screen (it works as a Progressive Web App).
Q: I forgot my password. How do I reset it?
A: On the login page, click "Forgot Password". Enter your email address and you'll receive instructions to reset your password.
Q: Can I access resources offline?
A: Te Kete Ako works as a Progressive Web App (PWA). Once you've visited pages, they'll be cached for offline access. For guaranteed offline use, we recommend printing or saving PDFs of resources you need.

Teaching & Pedagogy | Ako me te Whakaako

Q: What makes Te Kete Ako different from other teaching resources?
A: Our resources are:
  • Culturally authentic: Mātauranga Māori is integrated as foundational knowledge, not an add-on
  • Research-based: Grounded in critical pedagogy and culturally responsive teaching
  • NZ-specific: Built for Aotearoa's unique educational context
  • Print-optimized: Beautiful A4 printouts, not just screen-based
  • Teacher-created: Made by practicing teachers who understand classroom realities
Q: How do I integrate mātauranga Māori in my teaching?
A: Our resources model authentic integration. Look for:
  • Whakataukī (proverbs) that connect to learning concepts
  • Te Ao Māori perspectives in every subject area
  • Connections between mātauranga Māori and contemporary knowledge
  • Cultural responsiveness notes in lesson plans
Remember: Integration is about honoring Māori ways of knowing as sophisticated, legitimate knowledge systems - not just "including" token cultural elements.
Q: Can I contribute my own resources?
A: Yes! We welcome contributions from teachers. Please contact us with your materials. All contributors retain ownership of their work and are properly credited.

Still Have Questions?

We're here to help! If you can't find the answer you're looking for, please get in touch.

✉️ Contact Us

"Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi"

With your basket and my basket, the people will prosper