The Power of Mihi

Curriculum Area and Level

• Subject: Te Reo Māori
• Curriculum Area: Learning Languages – Te Marautanga o Aotearoa
• Level: Curriculum Level 4
• Strand: Te Whakatōtanga (Communication)

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Understand what a mihi is and its cultural significance.
2. Identify when and where a mihi is given in different contexts.
3. Recognise the roles of different people when delivering a mihi.
4. Create and present their own mihi with correct pronunciation and structure.

---

Lesson Overview (90 Minutes)

Time	Activity	Purpose
0 – 10 min	Whakatau – Welcome & Warm-Up	Engage students and set the tone for learning.
10 – 30 min	What is a Mihi?	Explanation of the purpose, structure, and importance of mihi.
30 – 50 min	When and Who?	Discussion about different settings and who delivers a mihi.
50 – 70 min	Writing and Practising a Mihi	Students draft their own mihi with peer support.
70 – 90 min	Kaikorero Challenge (Fun Activity)	A team-based game to reinforce learning in a fun and engaging way.

---

Lesson Plan Detail

Whakatau – Welcome & Warm-Up (0 – 10 min)

• Karakia or Waiata (3 min): Begin with a short karakia or waiata to create a welcoming environment.
• Quickfire Question (7 min): Ask students informal questions like:
  • "Has anyone heard someone give a mihi before?"
  • "Where would you use a mihi?"
  • "Why do you think a mihi is important?"

Kaupapa: This will activate prior knowledge and introduce the topic naturally.

---

What is a Mihi? (10 – 30 min)

• Teacher Explanation (5 min):

  • A mihi is a formal introduction that acknowledges people and places.
  • It includes elements such as whakapapa (genealogy), whenua (land), and people.

• Breaking Down the Structure (10 min): Write an example mihi on the board and break it down:

  1. Tēnā koutou (Greetings)
  2. Ko [mountain] tōku maunga (My mountain is…)
  3. Ko [river] tōku awa (My river is…)
  4. Ko [tribe] tōku iwi (My tribe is…)
  5. Ko [name] tōku ingoa (My name is…)
  6. Nō [place] ahau (I am from…)
  7. Tēnā koutou katoa (Thank you all)

• Pair-and-Share (5 min): Students buddy up and discuss:

  • What landmarks are important in their lives?
  • Who are important people they would mention?

---

When and Who? (30 – 50 min)

• Whole-Class Discussion (10 min) – Ask students to brainstorm different occasions where a mihi would be given, e.g.:

  • School pōwhiri
  • Formal gatherings
  • Welcoming guests
  • Funerals (tangihanga)

• Role of Different Speakers (10 min) – Introduce key figures in a mihi such as:

  • Kaikōrero: Person speaking on behalf of the group.
  • Kaikaranga: The woman who calls guests on.
  • Manuhiri: Visitors responding to the mihi.

• Quick Quiz (10 min): Give students a small group challenge with role-play scenarios (e.g., "If you were welcoming new students to school, who would speak first?").

---

Writing and Practising a Mihi (50 – 70 min)

• Scaffolded Writing (10 min):

  • Provide sentence starters on the board.
  • Let students fill in their details.

• Pair Work (10 min):

  • Students practise saying their mihi with a buddy.

• Mini Speech Circle (10 min):

  • In small groups, students present their mihi to each other.

---

Kaikōrero Challenge (Fun Activity) (70 – 90 min)

Game: "Mihi Relay Challenge"

• Arrange students into three teams.
• Each team has a set of puzzle pieces with different parts of a mihi written in Te Reo Māori.
• Objective: Teams must arrange the pieces in the correct order and have one person read the mihi aloud.
• Twist: The team that completes it first must also explain when this mihi might be used!

This activity will allow students to apply their learning cooperatively in an engaging way.

---

Wrap-Up (Final 5 min)

• Reflection: Ask students to share one thing they learned today.
• Karakia Whakamutunga (Closing Prayer): End with a traditional karakia to close the lesson respectfully.

---

Assessment and Follow-Up

• Formative Assessment:

  • Observe student participation in discussions.
  • Listen for correct pronunciation and structure in their mihi performances.

• Homework Suggestion:

  • Have students record themselves delivering their mihi at home and upload it to the class platform for feedback.

---

Teacher Notes & Adaptations:

• For shy students, allow them to present in pairs rather than solo.
• Include whānau involvement: Encourage students to ask their parents about their whakapapa to personalise their mihi further.
• Consider bringing in a guest speaker, such as a local kaumātua, to share real-life mihi experiences.

---

Conclusion

This lesson provides a culturally rich and engaging experience for Year 9 students to understand, create, and deliver a mihi with confidence. It balances direct instruction, collaboration, and fun, making it an ideal approach for delivering Te Reo Māori in the classroom.