Exploring Pasifika Identity

Overview

A 75-minute lesson for Year 9 Social Sciences students focused on understanding and appreciating Pasifika culture within Aotearoa New Zealand. This lesson aligns explicitly with the New Zealand Curriculum and its emphasis on cultural identity, social participation, and critical thinking.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Recognise aspects of Pasifika cultures in Aotearoa New Zealand and explain their significance.
• Understand the contribution of Pasifika peoples to New Zealand’s society.
• Engage respectfully with Pasifika perspectives and develop empathy and cultural awareness.
• Develop key competencies of thinking, using language, symbols and texts, relating to others, and participating and contributing as set out in the NZ Curriculum (pages 12-13) .

Curriculum Links

• Social Sciences Learning Area (Levels 4-5): Explore how Pasifika peoples maintain culture while living in Aotearoa New Zealand; understand social organisation, cultural practices and community participation.
• Key Competencies: Thinking, Using language, symbols and texts, Relating to others, Participating and contributing.
• Values: Cultural diversity, empathy, respect.
• Principles: Inclusion, cultural responsiveness.

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Lesson Plan Breakdown (75 mins)

1. Introduction & Engagement (10 mins)

• Activity: Brief brainstorm - "What do we know about Pasifika cultures in New Zealand?"
• Use a whiteboard or digital pad to capture student ideas.
• Teacher provides a short engaging overview emphasising the diversity of Pasifika peoples (Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands Māori, Niuean, Fijian, Tokelauan, Tuvaluan, etc.).
• Link to students’ own experiences and/or community diversity.

Purpose: Activate prior knowledge and foster curiosity.

2. Pasifika Culture Exploration - Group Research Stations (30 mins)

• Setup: Divide class into 5 groups of 4 students.

• Each group explores a different Pasifika culture (Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands Māori, Niuean, and Fijian) via prepared stations containing:

  • Visual aids (photos, cultural artefacts replicas, cultural symbols).
  • Short well-structured reading passages adapted for Year 9 level highlighting:
    • Language and greetings
    • Family and community roles
    • Special customs, arts (dance, music)
    • Contemporary contributions in NZ society

• Task: Groups to read, discuss and summarise key points on a large Mind Map or graphic organiser.

Teacher Role: Circulate, prompt deeper thinking questions such as "How does this Pasifika culture keep its traditions alive in New Zealand?" and "What might be challenges faced?"

3. Sharing and Reflective Discussion (20 mins)

• Each group presents their summary (3-4 mins each).

• Class discusses:

  • What similarities and differences did you notice between groups?
  • How do these cultures enrich New Zealand?
  • What values and practices could we learn from Pasifika cultures?

• Introduce a reflective question: "How can we show respect and support for Pasifika communities in our school and neighbourhood?"

4. Interactive Cultural Engagement – Language and Movement (10 mins)

• Teach students a simple Pasifika greeting or phrase (e.g., a Samoan greeting "Talofa lava").
• Brief introduction to a traditional dance movement or posture that respects Pasifika protocols.
• Students practise in pairs or small groups.

5. Conclusion and Personal Reflection (5 mins)

• Students write a short personal reflection responding to:
  "What did I learn today about Pasifika culture? What can I do to show respect towards Pasifika peoples?"
• Collect reflections to assess depth of understanding and empathy.

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Assessment & Feedback

• Formative assessment through observation of group discussions and presentations.
• Review of personal reflection writings for insight and connection.
• Use questioning during activities to gauge students’ critical thinking and empathy development.

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Resources Needed

• Printed or digital station materials with simplified cultural information.
• Photos/artifacts representational of each Pasifika culture.
• Whiteboard or collaborative digital tool for brainstorm and mind maps.
• Audio device for greeting/pronunciation model if needed.

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Teaching Considerations

• Ensure inclusive language and validate diverse student backgrounds.
• Provide differentiated support for English language learners, using visual aids and culturally relevant texts.
• Encourage respectful listening and participation throughout the lesson.
• Connect learning to community events or local Pasifika festivals where possible.

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Alignment to New Zealand Curriculum

• Vision & Principles: Inclusive education respecting cultural diversity and equity.
• Values: Cultural diversity, community and participation.
• Key Competencies: Developing thinking by analysing cultural differences; using language and texts through reading and presentations; relating to others by respecting Pasifika values; participating by engaging in cultural activities.
• Learning Area – Social Sciences: Understand how Pasifika people maintain identity, culture, and contribute to society in a multicultural New Zealand context .

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This lesson plan blends inquiry, collaborative learning, and cultural engagement tailored for Year 9 students. It highlights the richness of Pasifika cultures and their vital role in New Zealand’s social fabric, building learners' competencies and cultural responsiveness in line with the New Zealand Curriculum.