Kaiako Planning Snapshot
Ngā Whāinga Akoranga — Learning Intentions
- Understand and articulate key dimensions of te ao Māori as a living knowledge system
- Build whakapapa connections — to whānau, whenua, and the broader community
- Explore tikanga and its role as a living ethical framework, not a museum exhibit
- Develop a personal pepeha grounded in genuine connection, not performance
- Engage respectfully with mātauranga Māori across Social Studies, Arts, and Te Reo contexts
Paearu Angitu — Success Criteria
- ✓ Can articulate a personal pepeha with confidence and appropriate cultural protocol
- ✓ Demonstrates understanding of whakapapa as a relational framework (not just genealogy)
- ✓ Uses kupu Māori accurately in context — tikanga, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, whanaungatanga, hauora
- ✓ Connects at least one unit concept to a contemporary Aotearoa issue
- ✓ Produces a portfolio piece showing genuine reflection on cultural identity
Readiness — Proximinal guidance
- Entry: Focus on pepeha construction with scaffolded template; use visual whakapapa maps; reduce kupu load to 10 essential terms
- On-level: Full unit progression; cultural expression projects; kaumātua visit participation
- Extension: Independent inquiry into local iwi history; mātauranga Māori research comparison with a Western science topic; leadership role in pepeha presentations
Inclusion and accessibility
- Whakapapa sensitivity: Some ākonga may have disconnected or painful whakapapa histories. Always offer a "roles and values" alternative to personal genealogy — belonging does not require knowing your bloodline
- ESOL/ELL: Bilingual kupu cards throughout; accept te reo Māori or home language in reflections; pepeha can be partially constructed in any language
- Neurodiversity: Chunked weekly objectives; visual schedules for the 6-week arc; creative expression alternatives (art, music, video) to written portfolios
📖 Unit Overview
Unit 1: Te Ao Māori - Cultural Identity & Knowledge Systems
A comprehensive 6-8 week journey exploring Māori worldviews, values, and knowledge systems as the foundation for all learning. This unit establishes cultural identity and understanding of Te Ao Māori as a valid and essential knowledge system.
📋 NZC Curriculum Alignment
This unit addresses achievement objectives across multiple learning areas of the New Zealand Curriculum.
Social Studies / Tikanga-ā-Iwi
Understand how the ways in which leadership of groups is acquired and exercised have consequences for communities and societies.
Understand how cultural practices vary but reflect similar purposes.
Te Reo Māori
Communicate information, experiences, and ideas for a range of purposes in familiar contexts.
Demonstrate understanding of the significance of te reo Māori to Māori culture and identity.
The Arts / Ngā Toi
Explore and describe the influences of people, places, and times on the making and use of art works.
Key Competencies / Ngā Pūkenga Matua
🤔 Thinking
Students reflect on their own identity and cultural positioning, developing awareness of diverse worldviews and knowledge systems.
🤝 Relating to Others
Whakapapa and whānau connections emphasise relationships, collective identity, and responsibility to others.
🌱 Participating & Contributing
Community engagement with kaumātua, participation in cultural practices, and contributing to collective learning.
🗣️ Using Language, Symbols & Texts
Te Reo Māori language acquisition, understanding of cultural symbols, and interpretation of traditional and contemporary texts.
Unit Content & Weekly Structure
He Taonga - Our Cultural Foundation
Te Ao Māori is not just a subject we study - it is the lens through which we understand ourselves, our relationships, and our place in the world. This unit establishes the cultural foundation that will enrich all learning across every subject at Mangakōtukutuku College.
"He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata."
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, people, people.
Unit Overview & Learning Vision
Duration & Structure
- Time: 6-8 weeks (adaptable to school terms)
- Year Levels: 7-10 (differentiated activities)
- Frequency: 4-5 lessons per week
- Integration: Connects to all subject areas
Learning Vision
- Develop strong cultural identity and pride
- Understand mātauranga Māori as valid knowledge system
- Connect traditional wisdom to contemporary life
- Build foundation for lifelong cultural learning
Weeks 1-2: Whakapapa & Personal Identity
"Ko wai au? Ko wai koe?" - Who am I? Who are you?
Learning Focus
Students explore the concept of whakapapa (genealogical connections) as the foundation of identity in Te Ao Māori. They investigate their own connections - to whānau, to place, to knowledge traditions - and understand how these relationships shape who we are.
Key Concepts
- Whakapapa: Genealogical connections and relationships
- Whakatōhea: Collective identity and belonging
- Mauri: Life force and spiritual essence
- Whakatōhea: Collective responsibility
Learning Activities
- Personal whakapapa exploration project
- Te Reo Māori greetings and introductions
- Traditional Māori names and their meanings
- Community connections mapping
Authentic Assessment
Personal Identity Portfolio: Students create a multimedia presentation about their whakapapa connections, including family/whānau interviews, place-based research, and reflection on how these connections influence their learning and goals.
Weeks 3-4: Cultural Expression & Traditions
"Toku reo, toku ohooho, toku reo, toku mapihi mauri" - My language is my awakening, my language is the window to my soul
Learning Focus
Students engage with traditional and contemporary forms of Māori cultural expression, understanding how arts, language, and performance carry deep meaning and connect us to our ancestors and each other.
Traditional Arts Focus
- Haka: Powerful expression and cultural resistance
- Waiata: Song traditions and storytelling
- Carving & Weaving: Traditional craft knowledge
- Ta Moko: Traditional and contemporary significance
Learning Experiences
- Haka analysis and performance (using existing handout)
- Contemporary Māori artists research project
- Traditional craft workshops with community
- Waiata creation and performance
Cross-Curricular Connections
Weeks 5-6: Te Tiriti & Historical Experiences
"He whakatōhea tātou katoa" - We are all in this together
Learning Focus
Students explore Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a living document and examine both historical and contemporary Māori experiences, understanding how the past shapes present opportunities and challenges.
Historical Understanding
- Te Tiriti Partnership: Original intent and ongoing significance
- Māori Agency: Leadership and resistance through time
- Urban Migration: 20th century experiences like Dawn Raids
- Cultural Survival: How traditions were maintained
Contemporary Connections
- Current Treaty settlement processes
- Contemporary Māori leadership in politics, business, arts
- Modern expressions of tino rangatiratanga
- Youth activism and cultural pride movements
Resources Integration
This section utilises and enhances existing handouts: Treaty analysis and Dawn Raids impact, while creating new contemporary leadership profiles and community connection projects.
Weeks 7-8: Mātauranga Māori in Action
"Mā te huruhuru ka rere ai te manu" - Adorn the bird with feathers so it can fly
Learning Focus
Students explore how traditional Māori knowledge (mātauranga Māori) applies to contemporary challenges and opportunities, understanding its relevance in science, technology, environmental management, and community development.
Traditional Knowledge Applications
- Kaitiakitanga: Environmental guardianship and sustainability
- Rongoā: Traditional medicine and holistic health
- Astronomy: Traditional navigation and star knowledge
- Agriculture: Traditional growing and land management
Contemporary Integration
- Māori entrepreneurs and business innovation
- Environmental science and climate change responses
- Technology development with cultural protocols
- Community development and social innovation
Capstone Project
Community Action Initiative: Student groups identify a real issue in their community and develop a solution that integrates mātauranga Māori with contemporary approaches. Projects are presented to community members, whānau, and local leaders.
Aromatawai - Assessment & Evaluation
Authentic Assessment Approaches
- Portfolio Development: Personal learning journey documentation
- Community Presentations: Sharing learning with whānau and local groups
- Peer Teaching: Students teaching younger learners
- Cultural Protocols: Demonstrating appropriate cultural practices
- Action Projects: Real-world application of learning
Success Indicators
- Cultural Pride: Increased confidence in Māori identity
- Knowledge Integration: Connecting mātauranga across subjects
- Community Connection: Engaging with local cultural networks
- Critical Thinking: Analysing contemporary issues through cultural lens
- Leadership: Taking initiative in cultural learning spaces
Whakamutunga - Unit Reflection
This unit establishes Te Ao Māori as the foundation for all learning at Mangakōtukutuku College. Students complete this journey with a strong sense of cultural identity, deep appreciation for mātauranga Māori, and clear understanding of how traditional knowledge enriches contemporary learning and life.
"Mā te huruhuru ka rere ai te manu" - With cultural knowledge as our feathers, our students can soar.