Māori Prophets' Legacy

Lesson 1: Introduction to Māori Prophets

Curriculum Area & Level

• Subject: History (Social Sciences)
• Level: NCEA Level 1 (Year 11)
• Curriculum Strands: New Zealand History, Tikanga ā-Iwi, Mātauranga Māori
• Key Concepts: Leadership, Spirituality, Resistance, Cultural Identity

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Lesson Overview

In this 60-minute lesson, students will be introduced to the concept of Māori prophets and their significance in Aotearoa New Zealand’s history. They will explore how spirituality and leadership shaped resistance movements and identity for Māori communities.

This lesson sets the foundation for future discussions on prominent Māori prophets such as Te Kooti, Tohu Kākahi, and Te Whiti o Rongomai, as well as the broader impact of prophetic movements in New Zealand.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Understand the role of Māori prophets in historical and social contexts.
2. Identify key characteristics of Māori prophetic leadership.
3. Discuss the relationship between spirituality, resistance, and identity.
4. Engage in critical discussion about historical perspectives and sources.

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Lesson Timing & Activities

1. Whakawhanaungatanga & Introduction (10 min)

• Greeting & Karakia (2 min): Start with a short karakia (prayer) to set an inclusive and respectful tone.
• Warm-Up Discussion (3 min): Ask students:
  • What comes to mind when you hear the word "prophet"?
  • Can you think of any leaders in New Zealand history who were guided by spirituality?
• Lesson Goals & Big Ideas (5 min):
  • Introduce key terms: Māori prophets, spirituality, resistance.
  • Explain why these leaders were significant and how their movements influenced Aotearoa’s history.

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2. Interactive Storytelling (15 min)

• Storytelling with Visuals:

  • Present an image of a well-known Māori prophet (Te Kooti, Te Whiti, Tāwhiao) and provide a short, engaging narrative about their early life and purpose.
  • Use a woven flax basket (kete) to symbolise the carrying of knowledge. Each student draws a card with a fact about the life of a Māori prophet and reads it aloud.
  • Include whakapapa (genealogy) connections when discussing leadership.

• Discussion Prompt:

  • How do these stories compare to other spiritual or political leaders you've learned about (e.g., Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi)?

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3. Group Activity: Leadership & Spirituality (20 min)

• Knotted Rope Debate:

  • A length of rope is placed on the table, knotted at intervals, representing different challenges Māori prophetic leaders faced.
  • Students work in pairs to "untangle" a scenario where a leader had to balance political resistance with spiritual beliefs.
  • Each pair discusses their leader’s decision-making process and how it impacted followers.

• Guiding Questions:

  • How did spirituality influence these leaders?
  • What made them effective leaders?
  • How did their followers view them?

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4. Reflection & Exit Task (15 min)

• Connecting to Today:

  • Have students consider how spiritual or community leadership exists in the world today.
  • Provide three modern Māori leaders to examine briefly (e.g., Dame Whina Cooper, Taika Waititi, Rewi Spraggon).

• Exit Reflection:

  • Each student writes a "Thought for the Day" on a sticky note:
    • One thing I learned today...
    • One thing I want to know more about...

• Sticky notes are posted on the class "Whakaaro Wall" for future discussions.

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Assessment for Learning

• Verbal contributions in storytelling and discussion.
• Participation in the knotted rope activity.
• Thoughtful connections made in the exit reflection.

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Teacher Reflection & Next Steps

• Did students connect well with the concept of Māori prophetic leadership?
• Were they engaged in the storytelling and group activity?
• What misconceptions or gaps in knowledge need addressing in the next lesson?

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Next Lesson Preview:

Lesson 2 – Te Whiti & Tohu: Passive Resistance at Parihaka
Students will learn about the Parihaka movement, its principles, and its impact on both Māori and Pākehā communities.

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Additional Notes

• Mātauranga Māori Integration: Māori leadership principles are woven throughout this unit. Students will engage with whakataukī, whakapapa, and pūrākau (traditional stories) to deepen their understanding.
• Localised Learning: If relevant, include iwi-specific prophetic figures or movements linked to students’ whakapapa or the local area.