Māori Migration Journey

Lesson 1: Introduction to Māori Migration

Curriculum Area

Te Reo Māori – NCEA Level 3
Aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum for Learning Languages and Tikanga Māori, this lesson develops students’ understanding of Te Ao Māori through language immersion, historical exploration, and cultural discussion.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Understand the concept of Hawaiki as the ancestral homeland of Māori.
• Explore key theories regarding the migration of Polynesian ancestors to Aotearoa.
• Learn and use key Māori vocabulary relevant to migration and voyaging.
• Engage in discussions to share prior knowledge and personal connections.

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Lesson Structure (60 Minutes)

1. Whakawhanaungatanga & Karakia (10 Minutes)

• Teacher-led introduction: Begin with a brief welcome in te reo Māori, setting the kaupapa of the lesson.
• Karakia Timatanga: A short karakia (opening prayer) to centre students and acknowledge the significance of Māori history.
• Whakawhanaungatanga:
  • Students introduce themselves (if needed) and share any prior knowledge of Māori migration.
  • Prompt question: "He aha ō whakaaro mō Hawaiki? Kua rongo koe i tēnei kupu i mua?" (What are your thoughts on Hawaiki? Have you heard this word before?)

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2. Historical Context: Theories of Migration (15 Minutes)

• Teacher Presentation:
  • Show a visual timeline of Māori migration, using a world map to trace Polynesian navigation routes.
  • Introduce theories on how Māori arrived in Aotearoa (Kupe’s voyage, genealogical waka traditions, navigational knowledge).
  • Discuss Hawaiki as not just a physical place but a spiritual and ancestral concept.
• Key Vocabulary Activity:
  • Students write down key terms (Hawaiki, Aotearoa, iwi, waka hourua, migration, tūpuna) in their own words or drawings.
  • Pair-share: Each student explains their definition to a partner.

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3. Group Discussion & Critical Thinking (15 Minutes)

• Divide students into small groups (4-5 per group).
• Discussion questions:
  1. "What does migration mean to you personally? How do you think migration shaped Māori identity in Aotearoa?"
  2. "Why might Hawaiki be more than just a physical place? How does it connect to whakapapa (genealogy)?"
  3. "What challenges do you think Māori tūpuna faced sailing across the Pacific?"
• Groups record their thoughts on a shared A3 poster sheet or digital whiteboard.
• Whole-class discussion: Each group shares a key idea with the class.

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4. Reflection & Wrap-Up (10 Minutes)

• Quickfire Pātai (Quiz) Activity: The teacher asks true or false / short-answer questions to reinforce key learning points. Examples:

  • "Ko Hawaiki te ingoa o tētahi moutere i Aotearoa." (False)
  • "Nā wai i puta ai te kōrero mō Kupe?" (Whānau, iwi)

• Personal Reflection (Written – 5 Minutes):

  • Students write a short paragraph responding to: "If you had to leave Aotearoa and migrate somewhere new, what taonga (treasures) or knowledge would you take with you? Why?"
  • Volunteers share their responses.

• Karakia Whakamutunga (Closing Prayer): End with a karakia and a whakataukī related to journeys:
  "Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua." (I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on the past.)

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Assessment & Homework

• Exit Ticket: Before leaving, each student shares one new kupu (word) they learned.
• Homework Task: Research a waka hourua (double-hulled canoe) and write 5 sentences in te reo Māori describing its significance.

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Teacher’s Notes & Resources

• Visual Aids: Use a world map and images of early Polynesian navigators.
• NZ Connections: Relate waka migration to local iwi stories (e.g., Tainui, Te Arawa voyages).
• Differentiation: Advanced students may write a short narrative imagining their ancestors arriving in Aotearoa.

Looking Ahead (Lesson 2 Preview)

• Next lesson: Polynesian Navigation Techniques – Explore how Māori tūpuna navigated the Pacific Ocean using stars, birds, and currents.

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Wow Factor: Why Teachers Will Love This

✅ Authentic & Immersive: Uses te reo Māori throughout while maintaining accessibility.
✅ Engaging Discussions: Encourages critical thinking and personal connections to Māori identity.
✅ Strong Visual & Interactive Elements: Incorporation of maps, collaborative posters, and exit tickets makes learning dynamic.
✅ Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy: Respects and upholds Māori perspectives.

This highly structured yet student-led lesson ensures deep engagement with Māori migration history while fostering language development in te reo Māori.