Years 7–8Tikanga-ā-Iwi / Social Sciences
Unit 1 Lesson 2: Tikanga Scenarios - Understanding Māori Customs
Cultural Note: These scenarios are designed to help understand tikanga Māori in everyday situations. Remember that tikanga can vary between iwi and regions, and it's always best to ask when unsure.
Scenario 1: Visiting a Marae
Your class is visiting a local marae for a cultural learning experience. As you approach the marae, your teacher explains that you'll be participating in a pōwhiri (welcome ceremony). Some students are nervous about what to do and say.
Discussion Questions:
- What tikanga (customs) should visitors follow when entering a marae?
- Why is the pōwhiri important for both hosts and visitors?
- How can you show respect even if you don't know all the customs?
- What might you learn from this experience beyond just the ceremony itself?
Scenario 2: Sharing Kai (Food)
At a school hangi, your Māori friend's whānau has prepared traditional kai. They invite everyone to share the meal together. You notice there are certain ways people are serving and eating the food, and your friend explains this is about manaakitanga (hospitality).
Discussion Questions:
- What does manaakitanga mean in the context of sharing food?
- How does sharing kai strengthen community connections?
- What can you contribute to manaakitanga, even if you didn't cook?
- How might this tikanga apply in other situations beyond food?
Scenario 3: Using Te Reo Māori
Your school is encouraging everyone to use basic te reo Māori greetings and phrases. Some students worry about pronouncing words incorrectly, while others think it's not necessary since "everyone speaks English." A Māori student in your class explains why te reo is important to them.
Discussion Questions:
- Why is te reo Māori important for all New Zealanders?
- How can non-Māori students respectfully learn and use te reo?
- What tikanga should guide how we approach learning indigenous languages?
- How does using te reo show respect for Māori culture?
Scenario 4: Caring for the Environment
During a beach cleanup, a local kaumātua (elder) explains the concept of kaitiakitanga - being guardians of the environment. They share how their iwi has cared for this coast for hundreds of years and invite students to think about their role as kaitiaki.
Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to be a kaitiaki (guardian) of the environment?
- How does kaitiakitanga differ from other approaches to environmental care?
- What responsibilities do we all have to future generations?
- How can young people practice kaitiakitanga in their daily lives?
📚 Learn More About Tikanga
Official Resources
- 🌐 Te Ara: Tikanga Māori - traditional customs
- 📖 Ministry of Education: Tikanga in schools
- 🏛️ Te Papa: Māori customs and protocols
Cultural Learning
- 🎥 Māori Television: Living tikanga today
- 📚 Tāhūrangi: Cultural competency resources
- 🌿 Local Iwi: Regional tikanga variations