Years 7–8
Tikanga-ā-Iwi / Social Sciences
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
- ✅ Students can correctly place power cards into the correct branch of government with justification.
🌿 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
- Te Mātaiaho (2025) · Social Sciences · Phase 3 (Years 7–8) · Civics and Society (Knowledge): “Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting system: electorate votes for local MPs and party votes for proportional representation.”
- Te Mātaiaho (2025) · Social Sciences · Phase 3 (Years 7–8) · Civics and Society (Knowledge): “The constitution is a mix of important laws (like the Constitution Act), ideas passed down over time, and decisions made by judges to guide how the country is run.”
- NZC (2007) · Social Studies · Level 4: “Understand how the ways in which leadership of groups is acquired and exercised have consequences for communities and societies.”