Cultural Change Focus

Overview

In this 30-minute session for Years 3/4 students, learners will explore the Māori Renaissance of the 1970s—a significant period of cultural revival, activism, and the push for Māori rights and recognition in Aotearoa New Zealand. This lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) Refresh, specifically within the Social Sciences learning area (Aotearoa New Zealand Histories), and incorporates key competencies and values to develop students' understanding of identity, activism, and cultural heritage.

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Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area:

Social Sciences (Aotearoa New Zealand Histories)

• Focus: Understanding historical events and their impact on communities in Aotearoa New Zealand
• Achievement Objective:
  Understand how people’s perspectives on significant events in Aotearoa New Zealand’s history differ, and how these events affect communities today (Level 2, Years 3/4)

Key Competencies:

• Participating and Contributing – engage in discussions about historical events and their significance.
• Relating to Others – respect different perspectives and cultures.
• Thinking – develop understanding by asking questions about history and culture.
• Using Language, Symbols, and Texts – communicate ideas through discussion and creative activities.

Values and Principles:

• Respect for Māori Culture and Identity (as per the principle of Treaty of Waitangi in NZC)
• Diversity and Inclusion – recognising and valuing cultural heritage and rights.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand what the Māori Renaissance of the 1970s was and why it was important for Māori cultural revival and rights.
• Identify ways in which Māori people worked to revive te reo Māori, cultural traditions, and advocates’ push for recognition and equality.
• Express thoughts about the importance of culture and identity in Aotearoa’s history.

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Lesson Structure

Duration: 30 minutes
Class size: 25 students

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Begin with a brief storytelling session about life in Aotearoa during the 1970s, highlighting Māori cultural loss and the beginning of cultural revival.
• Use visuals: show images of Māori cultural activities (e.g., kapa haka, weaving, language classes).

Learning link: Connect to students' own experiences of cultural activities and identity.

2. Exploring the Māori Renaissance (10 minutes)

• Present key points on the Māori Renaissance:
  • Revival of te reo Māori (Māori language) and waiata (songs).
  • Establishment of Māori language schools (Kura Kaupapa Māori).
  • Māori activism for land rights and social justice (briefly mention the Bastion Point protests).
• Activity: Divide the students into small groups (~5 students each).
  • Each group is given a simple picture card representing one aspect of the Māori Renaissance (language, protest, arts, haka).
  • Groups discuss what the card shows and how it might help Māori people feel proud and recognised.
• Groups share one key idea with the class.

3. Reflective Discussion and Language Focus (10 minutes)

• Teacher leads a guided discussion on why it is important to keep culture and language alive.
• Introduce key Māori terms used during the lesson (e.g., Te Reo Māori, Kapa Haka, Whānau, Mana).
• Practice pronunciation as a class.
• Students individually or in pairs draw or write a sentence (or dictate, if needed) about something they learned or found important about the Māori Renaissance.

4. Conclusion and Assessment (5 minutes)

• Ask students to share one thing they learned or one question they have.
• Collect their sentence or drawing as formative assessment.

Assessment:

• Students demonstrate understanding through participation in group discussion and sharing their reflective drawing or sentence.
• Informal observation of key competency engagement (e.g., relating to others, thinking).

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Resources Needed

• Visual aids showing Māori cultural activities from the 1970s.
• Picture cards representing elements of the Māori Renaissance (prepared beforehand).
• Drawing materials and writing tools.

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Teaching Considerations

• Ensure sensitivity and respect when discussing cultural identity and historical activism.
• Create a safe classroom environment where students feel comfortable sharing ideas and questions.
• Use inclusive language and acknowledge all students’ cultural backgrounds.
• Support students with different learning needs by providing templates or verbal assistance as needed.

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Extension Ideas (Optional)

• Invite a local kaumātua or Māori cultural advisor to share stories about the Māori Renaissance.
• Incorporate Māori waiata or haka for a musical connection.
• Include a follow-up lesson on more recent Māori activism and cultural achievements.

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This lesson plan reflects the NZC Refresh philosophy by embedding respect for cultural identity, encouraging critical thinking about history, and promoting active participation—tailored at an age-appropriate level for Years 3/4 students exploring Aotearoa’s history through the Māori Renaissance event .