Crafting a Mana Statement

Curriculum Area & Level

Subject: Te Reo Māori
Curriculum Area: Learning Languages – Te Reo Māori
NCEA Level: Year 9 (Aligned with Level 4 of the New Zealand Curriculum)

Lesson Overview

This lesson is part of the unit "Empowering Mana Tangata" (Lesson 8 of 10). Students will create their own Mana Statement, using Te Reo Māori to describe their personal values, whakapapa, and aspirations. This activity deepens their understanding of Mana Tangata—the power and authority derived from self-awareness, relationships, and heritage.

The lesson blends self-reflection, whakapapa exploration, and Te Reo Māori language skills, balancing structured learning with creative expression.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:
✅ Identify what Mana Tangata means in their own lives.
✅ Create a personal Mana Statement in Te Reo Māori.
✅ Use whakataukī and mihi structures to enhance their statements.
✅ Share their statements in small groups, strengthening peer connections.

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Lesson Structure (60 Minutes)

1. Whakatuwhera – Mihi & Class Discussion (10 min)

🟢 Activity: Karakia + Whakawhanaungatanga Circle

• Open with a karakia to centre the class.
• Whakaaro pai: Ask students to reflect silently on a person who embodies mana for them.
• Discussion Prompt: ‘Where does your mana come from?’
  • Peers share in pairs, then feedback as a group.
  • Present a whakataukī: “Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au” – I am the river, the river is me.
  • Link this to the theme of identity shaping personal mana.

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2. Mana Tangata & Self-Reflection Activity (15 min)

🟠 Activity: Whakapapa & Identity Mapping

• Provide whakapapa templates (family tree and identity connectors).
• Students fill in:
  ✅ Their iwi/hapū (if known)
  ✅ Key values they uphold
  ✅ Important influences in their life (whānau, tupuna, role models)
• Encourage peer discussions (who/what empowers you?).

💡 Challenge for deeper thinking:
‘Can you describe which aspects of your whakapapa contribute most to your sense of mana?'

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3. Writing a Personal Mana Statement (20 min)

🔵 Activity: Structured Writing & Sentence Building

• Revise sentence structures:
  ✅ Tōku mana nō… (My mana comes from…)
  ✅ He tangata ahau e… (I am a person who…)
  ✅ Ko taku wawata… (My aspiration is…)

🔥 Creative guidance:

• Students must include at least two Te Reo Māori phrases that reflect their personal journey.
• Encourage the use of mihi frameworks to shape their statement.
• Model an example:
  "Ko tōku mana nō ōku tūpuna. He tangata au e manaaki ana i taku whānau. Ko taku wawata, he rangatira mō ngā iwi katoa.”
  (My mana comes from my ancestors. I am a person who cares for my family. My aspiration is to be a leader for all people.)

📝 Students write their own Mana Statements.

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4. Peer Sharing & Whakaautu – Reflection (10 min)

🟡 Activity: Small Group Presentations

• Students share their Mana Statement in groups of 3-4.
• Feedback: Each group member provides one positive comment and one follow-up question.
• Volunteers present to the whole class (optional).

🔄 Final Reflection:
✅ How does understanding mana change how you see yourself?
✅ What is one thing you learned about a classmate today?

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Assessment & Next Steps

🎯 Achievement Outcomes:

• Students create a coherent Mana Statement in Te Reo Māori.
• They demonstrate understanding of whakapapa and personal identity.
• They use correct sentence structures and key vocabulary in their statements.

🔜 Lesson 9 Preview:

• We will integrate these statements into spoken mihi structures.
• Students will prepare to present their full mihi in Lesson 10.

📢 Teacher Tip: This lesson encourages self-expression and pride. Walk around and listen in as students share – your interest in their identity will help build confidence!

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Resources & Materials

📖 Handouts: Whakapapa templates, sentence structure guide.
🖍️ Materials: Paper, pens, whiteboard for key phrases.
🔊 Audio/Video (if applicable): Example recordings of mihi.
🎶 Optional: Background waiata about mana (e.g., “Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi”).

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Final Thought for Teachers

This lesson honours the mana of each student by giving them the space to articulate their identity in Te Reo Māori. The peer-sharing aspect is essential—it strengthens community and deepens cultural connections. Encourage authenticity over perfection.

Kia kaha e hoa mā—your support and belief in your students’ mana will empower their learning! 🚀