Introduction to the Tauranga Wars

Lesson Overview

Unit: Tauranga Wars Uncovered (Lesson 1 of 12)
Curriculum Area: Social Sciences (Aotearoa New Zealand Histories)
Level: Year 7 (The New Zealand Curriculum Level 4)
Duration: 60 Minutes

Lesson Objectives

What we are learning (WALT)

• Understand the historical context of the Tauranga Wars.
• Identify key events leading up to the conflict.
• Recognise the significance of the Tauranga region in New Zealand’s history.

Why we are learning this

• The Tauranga Wars were an important part of New Zealand history, shaping the relations between Māori and Pākehā.
• Understanding them helps us learn about conflict, land ownership, and identity.
• It connects to larger themes of justice, rights, and belonging in Aotearoa New Zealand.

How we will know we have learnt it

• We can explain what led to the Tauranga Wars.
• We can describe who was involved in the conflict.
• We can discuss why this history still matters today.

Lesson Plan

1. Do Now Activity (5 Minutes)

Question on the board: “What would you fight for? Think about something that is important to you—your family, culture, whenua (land), or rights.”

• Students write their response on a sticky note and place it on the board.
• Discuss a few responses, linking to how people in history have had to fight for things that matter to them.

2. Hook: Engage with a Story (5 Minutes)

• Share the story of Hēnare Taratoa, a leader during the Tauranga Wars.
• Show a photo or short quote from his famous code of conduct for warfare.
• Ask: “Why do you think he cared about fighting fairly and with honour?”

3. Explicit Teaching (15 Minutes) – I Do

• Use a timeline on the board to map key events before 1864 (e.g. Treaty of Waitangi signed in 1840, land disputes, military build-up in Tauranga).
• Explain key people involved: Māori rangatira such as Rawiri Puhirake and British commanders like General Duncan Cameron.
• Show a map of Tauranga and discuss why the land was important to both Māori and the British army.
• Key Concept: The war was mainly about land—who had rights to it, and how those rights were challenged.

4. Guided Practice (10 Minutes) – We Do

• Pair Work: Students examine a short reading (teacher-created text with key facts) and highlight important information.
• Think-Pair-Share:
  1. Summarise one thing you learnt.
  2. Why do you think this war started?

5. Independent Activity (15 Minutes) – You Do

Choice of Activities (Differentiated for all learners):

• Option 1 (Support): Fill in a graphic organiser (Who? When? Where? Why?)
• Option 2 (Core learners): Write a newspaper headline about the Tauranga Wars that explains what is happening and why.
• Option 3 (Extension): Debate: “Could this war have been avoided?” Write a short paragraph explaining your opinion, using evidence from the lesson.

6. Exit Ticket (5 Minutes)

Question on the board: “Why do you think learning about the Tauranga Wars is important today?”

• Students write one sentence on a slip of paper and hand it in as they leave.

Differentiation & Scaffolds

• Sentence Starters for Struggling Writers:
  • “The Tauranga Wars started because…”
  • “One important leader during the war was…”
• Graphic Organisers for Visual Learners (Timeline, Cause-and-Effect Chart)
• Extension Question: What can we learn from the Tauranga Wars about peaceful conflict resolution today?

Assessment & Formative Checks

✔ Discussion Responses (Do Now, Think-Pair-Share)
✔ Graphic Organisers/Newspaper Headlines/Written Debates
✔ Exit Ticket Reflection

Science of Learning Strategies Used

• Spaced Repetition: The key ideas from today’s lesson will be revisited across the unit.
• I Do, We Do, You Do: Ensuring gradual release of responsibility.
• Retrieval Practice: Students recalling information without notes in the exit ticket.

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Reflection for the Teacher:

• Which students needed additional support?
• Were students engaged in the discussions?
• What misconceptions arose that may need addressing in Lesson 2?

Next Lesson: Tauranga Wars Part 2 – The Battle of Gate Pā: Strategy and Tactics