Introduction to Te Ao Haka

Lesson Overview

Year Level: Year 9
Curriculum Area: Drama (NZ Curriculum – Level 4)
Duration: 60 minutes
Unit: Exploring Te Ao Haka (Lesson 1 of 30)
Big Idea: Haka is more than just a performance; it embodies identity, heritage, and cultural expression.
Key Competencies: Thinking, Relating to Others, Participating and Contributing

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand the historical and cultural significance of haka in Māori tradition.
• Identify different contexts where haka is performed.
• Demonstrate basic haka movements with confidence and respect.

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Lesson Structure

1. Whakawhanaungatanga – Building Connections (10 mins)

Objective: Establish a positive and respectful learning environment regarding Te Ao Haka.

• Begin with a karakia (can be a universal one or one selected by the school).
• Brief round of introductions: Students stand in a circle and share their pepeha (or a simple introduction of themselves). This reinforces identity, a central theme in haka.
• Establish class tikanga (expectations) for learning haka, ensuring respect, focus, and making connections to the wider Māori world.

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2. The Origins and Evolution of Haka (15 mins)

Objective: Recognise haka as a significant element of Māori culture beyond sports and performance.

• Discussion Prompt: "What do you know about haka? Where have you seen it performed?"
• Teacher Storytelling: Share the story of Tānerore, the atua (deity) of haka, and how haka embodies movement, rhythm, and storytelling.
• Video Analysis: Show two different haka performances (e.g., a marae haka pōwhiri vs. an All Blacks haka).
  • Discuss the purpose, tone, and meaning behind each.
  • Compare haka as a traditional practice vs. a modern performance.

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3. Embodying Haka – Physical Exploration (20 mins)

Objective: Learn fundamental haka movements and their significance.

• Warm-up: Students engage in a waiata-a-ringa style movement to loosen up.
• Breakdown of fundamental haka stances:
  • Te tū a Tānerore (stance)
  • Ngā whatīanga o te tinana (posture and movement of limbs)
  • Te wiriwiri (the trembling hands, representing heatwaves and life force)
• Guided practice: In small groups of 3-4, students mirror and practice these movements.
• Call-and-response session: Teacher chants a few simple haka lines while students repeat, focusing on wairua (spirit) and mana (authority).

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4. Reflection and Closing (15 mins)

Objective: Encourage students to reflect on their experience and set thoughtful intentions for the unit.

• Think-Pair-Share:
  • "How did you feel when performing haka?"
  • "Why do you think haka is such a powerful form of drama?"
• Students write down one word that describes their first experience with haka and place it on a ‘Te Ao Haka Reflection Wall’ in the classroom.
• Wrap-up discussion: Reinforce that haka is a living tradition that they will explore deeper throughout the unit.
• End with a karakia whakamutunga to close the session.

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Assessment & Next Steps

Formative Assessment:

• Observations of participation and engagement in discussions.
• Informal feedback during physical haka practice.

Next Lesson Preview:

• Students will explore the different types of haka and their specific meanings.
• They will investigate haka unique to their local iwi or rohe.

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Resources & Materials

• Large open space for movement.
• Speaker or laptop for showing haka performances.
• Printed reflection sheets or sticky notes for the Reflection Wall.
• Whiteboard or projector for key points and whakataukī (proverbs).

Teacher Tip: Surprise the students by inviting a local kapa haka expert in a later lesson. Engaging with tangata whenua makes the learning authentic and powerful!

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This lesson lays the foundation for Exploring Te Ao Haka, building respect and excitement for the kaupapa ahead. Kia kaha!