Honouring the Marae

Curriculum Area: Social Sciences
Curriculum Strand: Identity, Culture, and Organisation
Year Level: Year 1 (Level 1 of the New Zealand Curriculum)
Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Focus Marae: Ruahāpia and Waipatu Marae (Ngāti Kahungunu)
Te Reo Māori Focus: Kupu hou (new words), karakia whakatau, and everyday classroom instructions in te reo Māori

---

WALT

We Are Learning To:

• Name and identify parts of a marae
• Understand the roles involved in a pōhiri
• Begin to explore the tikanga and kawa observed at Ruahāpia and Waipatu Marae (Ngāti Kahungunu)

---

Learning Intentions

Students will:

• Recognise and name key parts of a marae using te reo Māori
• Describe with support the purpose of a pōhiri
• Participate in hands-on learning activities to identify tikanga observed on the marae
• Begin to understand our school’s personal connection to Ruahāpia and Waipatu Marae

---

Success Criteria

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
✅ Identify at least 3 main parts of a marae in te reo Māori and their function
✅ Name at least one role in a pōhiri and describe what that person does
✅ Share one example of tikanga they may see on a marae
✅ Create and complete a puzzle or kinaesthetic activity about marae with classmates

---

Vocabulary Introduced

Te Reo Māori	English
Wharenui	Meeting house
Wharekai	Dining hall
Atea	Open space in front of the wharenui
Kaikaranga	Female caller during pōhiri
Kaikōrero	Speaker
Pōhiri	Welcome ceremony
Tikanga	Customs / correct protocol
Kawa	Rules on marae (specific to iwi or hapū)
Karakia	Prayer

Use chants and repetition to reinforce kupu hou. Incorporate actions with each word for multi-sensory learning.

---

Materials Needed

• Large laminated floor puzzle of a marae (customisable or printable)
• Mini whiteboards and markers
• Fun "Match the Marae Part" worksheets (word-to-picture matching)
• Laminated character cards: kaikaranga, kaikōrero, manuhiri, tangata whenua
• Marae role masks (for pretend play)
• Harakeke paper strips (for weaving activity – symbolic tikanga)
• Audio of karanga and whaikōrero (optional immersion audio activity)
• Bilingual wall display visuals
• Plastic cones (for outside activity)
• Large pita board or poster paper for group creation

---

Lesson Outline (60 Minutes)

1. Whakatau / Karakia + Mihimihi Circle (10 mins)

• Begin with a karakia whakatau to settle tamariki (display printed karakia version on wall)
• Kaiako introduces self with a mihimihi model, then some tamariki briefly share name and one thing they love
• Briefly remind tauira: “We are connected to Ruahāpia and Waipatu marae – they are special to Mahora School.”

---

2. Exploring the Marae Puzzle (15 mins)

Activity: Giant Floor Puzzle (tangrams or large printed pieces)

• In small groups of 5, students work collaboratively on reassembling a marae on the mat
• As each piece is placed, teacher supports by discussing:
  • Te ingoa (the name)
  • Te mahi (the function)
• Embed te reo: “Kei hea te wharenui?” (Where is the meeting house?)
• Use laminated guide cards for learners who need support and voice recording buttons for ELL students

Differentiation:

• Visual prompts for ELL and neurodiverse students
• Māori-English bilingual cue cards
• Peer scaffolding encouraged in all groups

---

3. "He Aha Tō Mahi?" – Role Match Game (10 mins)

Activity: Match the Person to the Role

• Teacher displays character cards with images and names
• Students are given role description cards – they must stand up, mime, or describe their person and find their matching role
• Discussion of pōhiri roles (kaikaranga, kaikōrero, manuhiri, tangata whenua)
• Students say in pairs: “Ko au te...” (I am the...) using role cards

Differentiation:

• Pair reluctant speakers with confident buddies
• Tactile learners can wear costume hats or hold props

---

4. "Tikanga Trail" Outdoor Activity (15 mins)

Activity: Marae Obstacle Course

• Outside, set up cone stations representing:
  • Atea: Walk quietly and reflect
  • Wharenui: Sit and listen to story
  • Wharekai: Say a karakia kai
• At each station, teacher/facilitator briefly explains kawa or tikanga followed at Ruahāpia and Waipatu marae
• Tamariki rotate in whānau groups

Differentiation:

• A visual map of stations for those who process visually
• Verbal and demonstrative instructions for ELL learners
• Allow breaks as needed

---

5. Cool Down – Create your Marae (10 mins)

Activity: Group Creation Project

• Students in groups of 5 co-create a mini poster marae
• Label key parts in te reo Māori
• Draw or paste their favourite role/person on the marae
• Share one tikanga they learned

---

Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

• Create a short play reenacting a pōhiri sequence using role masks and te reo Māori phrases
• Explore and compare kawa at Waipatu vs Ruahāpia marae using information gathered from whānau or school visits
• Identify connections between school tikanga (e.g. karakia before kai) and marae kawa

---

Follow-Up Ideas for Ongoing Learning

• Visit either Waipatu or Ruahāpia Marae and have tamariki help plan the pōhiri re-enactment
• Scaffold into learning pepeha next week, connecting to whenua and iwi
• Create a class digital book: “Our Visit to the Marae” (can include audio, visual, and text elements)

---

Reflective Questions for Teachers

• How did my ākonga engage with tikanga and kawa content?
• Were my neurodiverse learners supported to participate meaningfully?
• Did I hear tamariki use kupu Māori unprompted today? What supported that?
• Who is ready for more in-depth learning about marae and who needs more scaffolding?

---

Teacher Notes

Ensure to model correct pronunciation of each te reo Māori word and encourage learners to repeat after you. Honour the sacred nature of marae by sharing lived stories and linking kaupapa to your school’s relationship with local Ngāti Kahungunu hapū. Invite whānau into the learning space if possible for deeper engagement.

---

"He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata."
(What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.) – A beautiful whakataukī to conclude the session.

---

Kua mutu – Ka pai tō mahi, e hoa mā!