Years 7–8Tikanga-ā-Iwi / Social Sciences
🪶 Mātauranga Māori — handoff required (te reo accuracy). This page previously used Whakatōhea as a general term; that false usage has been removed rather than replaced, and the correct kupu remains a kaiako Māori / kaumātua decision. Te Whakatōhea is an iwi of Ōpōtiki, not a word for a concept, and across this estate the name has been used to stand for at least eight different ideas — listening deeply, belonging, unity, navigation, holistic thinking. The correct kupu for each is a question for kaiako Māori or kaumātua; substituting a guessed word would repeat the original error with better spelling. Ask: what kupu was intended here, and does anything on this page imply a connection to Te Whakatōhea that is not real?
Unit 1 Lesson 3: Mātauranga Māori Inquiry Cards
🌿 Instructions
Cut out these cards and use them for group inquiry activities. Each card represents a different area of Māori knowledge systems. Students can research, discuss, and present their findings.
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Whakapapa
How do genealogical connections shape Māori identity and relationships?
🌿
Kaitiakitanga
What does it mean to be guardians of the environment?
🏔️
How do mountains, rivers, and landmarks hold spiritual significance?
🎭
Kapa Haka
How do performing arts preserve and share cultural knowledge?
🏛️
Tikanga
What customs and protocols guide Māori social interactions?
📚
Kōrero
How do oral traditions and stories pass down knowledge?
🎨
Toi Māori
What meanings and messages are carried in traditional arts?
🌊
Navigation
How did Māori navigate vast ocean distances using natural signs?
🌱
Rongoā
What traditional healing knowledge exists in Māori medicine?
🏡
Whare Construction
How do traditional building methods reflect cultural values?
⭐
Astronomy
How did Māori use stars for navigation and seasonal planning?
🥬
Māhinga Kai
What traditional food systems sustained Māori communities?
🔍 Inquiry Process Suggestions
Research Questions
- What is the traditional knowledge?
- How is it practised today?
- Why is it important?
- How can we respect and learn from it?
Presentation Ideas
- Create a visual poster
- Prepare a short presentation
- Write a reflection piece
- Design an infographic
📚 Research Starting Points
Authoritative Sources
- 🌐 Te Ara Encyclopedia: Comprehensive Māori knowledge
- 🏛️ Te Papa Museum: Cultural artifacts and explanations
- 📖 Tāhūrangi: Educational resources in te reo
Academic & Cultural
- 🎓 University Collections: Scholarly research
- 📺 Māori Television: Contemporary perspectives
- 🌿 Local Iwi Websites: Regional knowledge
Hononga Marautanga · Curriculum Alignment
Curriculum alignment for this handout has not yet been verified against the live curriculum statements. A generated placeholder that stood here was removed on 2026-08-29 because it matched no real statement.