Handout for Lesson 2.2: NZ Government Power Cards

Cut out these cards for the sorting activity.

Role Cards

The King
The Governor-General
The Prime Minister
A Judge
An MP
A Voter

Power Cards

Signs bills into law
Commands the army
Chooses the Prime Minister
Votes for MPs
Decides guilt or innocence
Represents NZ overseas
Proposes new laws
Runs the government day-to-day
Debates and votes on laws

📚 Teacher Resource Notes

Purpose: Use these power cards to help students map where decision-making power sits within the NZ government system.

Ngā Whāinga Ako — Learning Intentions

Students will engage with this resource to build understanding of systems, governance, and civic action in Aotearoa New Zealand, connecting to Te Ao Māori principles.

Ngā Paearu Angitū — Success Criteria

🌿 Mātauranga Māori Lens

The Treaty of Waitangi established a bicultural power-sharing framework. As students map power in NZ governance, invite them to consider where Māori rangatiratanga fits in this structure.

📋 Teacher Planning Snapshot

Differentiation: Provide sentence starters or word banks for students who need scaffold support. Extend capable learners by asking them to find a real-world NZ example connected to this resource. Support ELL students with vocabulary pre-teaching. Adapt for neurodiverse learners by offering choice in how they record their thinking.

Prior knowledge: Best used after the relevant lesson or as an introductory hook. No specialist prior knowledge required.

Curriculum alignment