Years 7–8Tikanga-ā-Iwi / Social Sciences
Ko Wai Au? - Comprehensive Whakapapa Deep Dive Activities
A multi-activity lesson following Y8 Systems depth methodology
🌿 Kaitiaki Cultural Guidance
Remember: Whakapapa is tapu (sacred). Students share only what feels comfortable. All cultural backgrounds are honoured. This is about connection, not comparison.
Duration: 20 minutes | Materials: Large paper, coloured pens, constellation template
Instructions:
- Place yourself at the centre of your paper as a bright star
- Add your whānau (family) as stars around you - biological, chosen, or those who raised you
- Add your whenua (places) that matter - where you were born, live, or feel connected to
- Add your cultural connections - traditions, languages, beliefs that guide you
- Add your community - friends, school, groups you belong to
- Draw lines connecting related stars, creating your personal constellation
Whānau
Family
Whenua
Place
Cultural
Heritage
Community
Belonging
Values
Beliefs
Future
Dreams
Reflection: What patterns do you see in your constellation? Which connections give you the most strength?
Duration: 25 minutes | Materials: Story template, recording option
Cultural Connection: In Te Ao Māori, stories carry mana (spiritual power) and connect us to our tīpuna (ancestors). Every culture has stories that shape identity.
Choose One Story Type:
- Origin Story: How your family came to live where they do
- Strength Story: A time when your whānau showed resilience
- Wisdom Story: A lesson passed down through generations
- Connection Story: How your family maintains cultural traditions
- Dream Story: Hopes and aspirations for future generations
Write or sketch your story: Focus on how this story connects you to your whakapapa and shapes who you are.
Story Meaning: What does this story teach you about your identity? What values does it carry?
Duration: 20 minutes | Materials: Cultural worlds diagram
Many of us navigate multiple cultural worlds - home culture, school culture, peer culture, online culture. This is a strength!
Mapping Your Cultural Worlds:
Home/Whānau Culture
Languages, traditions, values, foods, celebrations
School Culture
Rules, expectations, subjects, peer groups
Community Culture
Neighbourhood, sports, clubs, activities
Digital Culture
Online spaces, social media, gaming, content
Navigation Reflection: How do you adapt when moving between these worlds? What skills does this give you? What challenges do you face?
Duration: 15 minutes | Materials: Vision planning template
Whakapapa Wisdom: In Māori thought, whakapapa extends into the future. We are ancestors to those who come after us. How do we want to be remembered?
Complete These Vision Statements:
For my whānau (family), I want to contribute...
For my community, I hope to...
For future generations, I want to leave...
The values I want to carry forward are...
🔗 Connecting to Existing Resources
This deep dive integrates with other Te Kete Ako resources for extended learning:
📄 Writers Toolkit PEEL
Structure reflection writing
⭐ Māori Astronomy
Navigation & whakapapa connection
🎭 Cultural Assessment
Holistic evaluation framework
📚 Extended Learning Resources
Cultural Understanding
- 🌐 Te Ara: Whakapapa - genealogical connections
- 🏛️ Te Papa: Family histories and migration stories
- 📖 Tāhūrangi: Identity and belonging resources
- 🎥 NZ On Air: Stories of cultural identity
Academic Extension
- 📚 Ministry of Education: Identity and place in learning
- 🔬 Royal Society: Science of human connection
- 🌍 UNESCO: Cultural diversity and education
- 📊 Stats NZ: Demographics and cultural data