Business Pitch Celebration

Context

This is lesson 6 of 6 in the unit "Creating a T-Shirt Business" for Year 7-8 tamariki at a Kura Kaupapa Māori. The lesson focuses on preparing and delivering a final business pitch in a ‘Shark Tank’ style, celebrating Māori entrepreneurship, incorporating tikanga and kaupapa Māori values, including Kiingitanga and marae tikanga.

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Present their t-shirt business ideas confidently, showcasing the business name, logo, marketing plan, and financial overview.
• Demonstrate understanding of entrepreneurship as it relates to Māori values and identity.
• Use language, symbols, and texts to communicate business concepts effectively.
• Exhibit key competencies from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, including managing self, relating to others, and participating and contributing.
• Reflect on their learning journey in alignment with kaupapa Māori principles.

Te Marautanga o Aotearoa References:

• Learning Area: Business Studies (Social Sciences) – Developing enterprise skills reflecting Māori entrepreneurship.
• Key Competencies: Managing self, Relating to others, Participating and contributing.
• Principle: Embedding Tikanga Māori and Māori worldviews in learning contexts.

---

Success Criteria

Students will be able to:

• Clearly explain their business idea with key elements (name, logo, marketing, financial plan).
• Connect their business to Māori entrepreneurial values and cultural practices.
• Use visuals and oral language confidently in their pitch.
• Respond thoughtfully to questions, demonstrating understanding of their business.
• Self-assess and peer-assess presentations against agreed criteria for communication and content.

---

Time Allocation and Activities

Time	Activity	Description	Supports/Differentiation
10 min	Whakawhanaungatanga / Setting the Scene	Karakia and pepeha to open. Quick whole-class warm-up discussing what makes a good business pitch. Revisit kaupapa Māori values linked to entrepreneurship (manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga).	Use oral reo supported by written keywords visible for dyslexic learners. Use group discussion to build confidence.
15 min	Preparation of Final Pitches	Students work in their business groups. They organize and rehearse their pitch including: business name explanation, logo display, marketing approach, and financial overview (simple figures). Teacher and peers provide feedback.	Visual templates available for slides or posters. Dyslexia-friendly fonts and layouts. Groups can scaffold ideas with sentence starters. Advanced learners challenged to include a sustainability or cultural innovation angle.
25 min	‘Shark Tank’ Style Presentations	Each group presents their pitch to a panel of 'investors' (could be teachers or peers). Presentations last 3-4 minutes each, followed by 2 minutes of Q&A focusing on understanding business choices and Māori entrepreneurship elements.	Use a supportive panel and positive feedback approach. Allow alternative communication modes (e.g., digital slides or props).
10 min	Reflection and Celebration	Class reflects collectively on the learning journey, what was learnt about entrepreneurship and tikanga Māori in business. Formal mihi or waiata concludes the session.	Oral feedback shared in groups. Students encouraged to share insights. Written reflection alternative for some students.

---

Differentiation Strategies

• Dyslexia-Friendly: Use clear fonts (e.g., Arial), larger text, and bullet points. Allow oral responses and use visual aids extensively.
• Advanced Learners: Encourage exploration of tikanga innovation, e.g. incorporating environmental kaitiakitanga into their business or using Māori motifs and storytelling in branding. Challenge to justify pricing and marketing strategies using simple financial reasoning.
• Learners Needing Additional Support: Provide sentence frames, vocabulary lists, and peer support during preparation. Allow presentation in smaller groups or pairs.

---

Extension Activities

• Develop a business brochure or digital flyer using multimedia tools integrating Māori art and language.
• Research a successful Māori entrepreneur and present how their values inspire their business.
• Plan a simple social enterprise initiative aligned with their t-shirt business, e.g., supporting local whānau or environmental projects.

---

Assessment

• Formative: Teacher observation and peer feedback during rehearsals. Use a simple rubric focusing on communication clarity, inclusion of Māori entrepreneurial values, and teamwork.
• Summative: Final pitch assessed with criteria aligned to Te Marautanga o Aotearoa achievement objectives in business and communication. Include self-assessment on learning growth and connection to Māori identity.

---

Resources

• Business pitch templates with Māori design elements
• Visual vocabulary posters with key business and Māori terms
• Financial overview charts simplified for Year 7-8 maths levels
• Audio-visual equipment for presentations

---

Cultural Integration

• Begin and end with karakia and waiata to support tikanga and kaupapa Māori values.
• Recognise entrepreneurial stories from Māori whānau or iwi to inspire students.
• Use te reo Māori in key vocabulary throughout the lesson and encourage use in presentations.
• Embed principles of Kiingitanga and marae tikanga in how groups collaborate and present, emphasizing respect, mana, and collective success.

---

Notes on Teacher’s Style

• Emphasize hands-on activities via group preparation and presentation.
• Support mana-enhancing leadership roles within groups.
• Use authentic Māori contexts and examples to bring relevance to economic learning.
• Encourage full participation respecting tikanga and individual student needs.

---

This lesson will offer an engaging and culturally grounded conclusion to the t-shirt business unit, fostering entrepreneurial skills and Māori identity in your tamariki.

If you would like, I can provide printable templates or sample rubrics tailored for this lesson.