Exploring Wairuatanga

Lesson Duration: 60 minutes

Class Size: 16 students

Year Level: 9

Unit: Wairuatanga and Belief Systems

Lesson 1: Exploring Wairuatanga - The Foundation of Māori Spirituality

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand and describe the concept of wairuatanga within Māori spirituality.
• Differentiate wairuatanga from Western concepts of religion and spirituality.
• Interpret traditional Māori pūrākau and whakataukī to explore spiritual ideas.
• Reflect on the sacred nature of humanity and all creation, connecting to Genesis 1:27.
• Collaboratively construct a class definition of wairuatanga grounded in both traditional stories and contemporary understandings.

These objectives align with the New Zealand Curriculum under:

• Religious Education: Level 5, Understanding Self and Others, and Developing Interpretations of Belief Systems.
• Key Competencies: Thinking; Relating to Others; Using Language, Symbols, and Texts.
• Learning Areas Cross-Curriculum: Social Sciences (Understanding culture and heritage), English (oral storytelling and reflection), and Health and Physical Education (self-awareness).

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Curriculum Connections

• Level 5 Religious Education Achievement Objectives:
• Explore and express ideas about wairuatanga and sacredness within Māori worldviews.
• Respond to questions about identity and spirituality in cultural contexts.
• Key Competencies:
• Thinking: Engaging critically with pūrākau and analysing differing spiritual views.
• Relating to Others: Respectfully listening and contributing to group discussions.
• Using Language, Symbols, and Texts: Communicating understandings through oral storytelling, whakataukī, and written reflections.

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Resources Needed

• Copies of selected pūrākau (traditional Māori stories) relevant to spirituality.
• Whakataukī cards about wairuatanga and related concepts.
• Hirini Moko Meads’ Tikanga Māori excerpts or summaries (prepared by teacher).
• Whiteboard/flip chart and markers.
• Paper and coloured pens for reflection activity.
• Bible (for reading Genesis 1:27).

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Lesson Outline

DO NOW: Quick Reflection (5 minutes)

• As students enter, have them write down one word or phrase that comes to mind when they hear the word "Wairuatanga".
• Invite a few students to share their words or phrases to spark curiosity and focus attention on the topic.

1. Introduction and Connection (10 minutes)

• Greeting and Setting the Tone: Begin with a pōwhiri style welcome or mihi, fostering a respectful and open learning space.
• Activate Prior Knowledge: Ask students what they know about ‘spirituality’ and how this might differ across cultures. Briefly discuss Western religion/spirituality as contrast.
• Introduce the Concept: Explain wairuatanga as a uniquely Māori worldview focusing on the interconnectedness of all living things, spirituality, and the sacred.

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2. Storytelling Circle: Pūrākau Exploration (15 minutes)

• Divide students into small groups (4 per group).
• Provide each group with a pūrākau that illustrates wairuatanga (e.g., stories of Tāne and the forests, or the creation of Hineahuone).
• Each group reads and discusses: What spiritual lessons do these stories teach? How do they show the sacredness of people, nature, and the world?
• Groups share a brief summary of their story and its spiritual importance with the whole class, fostering oral communication and shared learning.

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3. Whakataukī and Discussion (10 minutes)

• Present selected whakataukī related to spiritual values, such as:
• "Ko au te whenua, ko te whenua ko au" (I am the land, and the land is me).
• Facilitate a whole-class discussion: What do these sayings tell us about how Māori see spirituality and identity? How does this compare to Western religious ideas?
• Introduce the Bible verse Genesis 1:27: Read aloud, then connect the idea of humans created 'in God's image' to Māori concepts of being sacred taonga within wairuatanga.

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4. Creating a Class Definition of Wairuatanga (15 minutes)

• Using knowledge from pūrākau, whakataukī, and Tikanga Māori, guide students in co-creating a class definition of wairuatanga on the whiteboard/flip chart.
• Encourage students to use their own words and include key ideas such as spirituality, connection to land and people, sacredness, and identity.
• Highlight how this definition is dynamic and rooted in whakapapa (genealogy) and Māori beliefs.

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5. Personal Reflection and Sharing (10 minutes)

• Ask students to write a short personal reflection about what spirituality/wairuatanga means to them.
• Prompt: How does understanding wairuatanga change or deepen your view of spirituality? How do you connect with your own spirituality or beliefs?
• Invite volunteers to share reflections with the class, respecting diverse views and faiths.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through observation of group discussions and participation in the storytelling circle and whakataukī discussion.
• Teacher review of personal reflection pieces to gauge individual understanding and connection with the concept of wairuatanga.
• Engagement in creating the class definition to assess collaborative skills and comprehension of content.

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Differentiation and Inclusion Strategies

• Provide pūrākau and whakataukī in simplified written formats or visuals for students who benefit from differentiated literacy support.
• Encourage all cultural and spiritual backgrounds to respectfully share their views during discussions.
• Use mixed-ability grouping to support peer learning.
• Offer options for reflection: written, artistic (draw a symbol of spirituality), or verbal.

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Teaching Strategies

• Facilitate open discussions to encourage student engagement and sharing of perspectives.
• Use storytelling (pūrākau) to connect students with Māori spiritual concepts in an accessible and meaningful way.
• Incorporate reflection activities to deepen personal understanding and connection with wairuatanga.
• Practice cultural responsiveness by respecting diverse spiritual backgrounds and fostering an inclusive classroom environment.

Skills Needed

• Critical thinking
• Active listening
• Respectful communication
• Cultural awareness

Teacher Reflection and Next Steps

• Reflect on student engagement with Māori spiritual concepts and how well they related wairuatanga to broader ideas of spirituality.
• Plan next lessons to build on this foundation, exploring specific Māori beliefs and practices in greater depth.
• Consider inviting local kaumātua or spiritual leaders to share deeper insights in future lessons.

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This lesson fosters a strong bicultural foundation consistent with the New Zealand Curriculum’s commitment to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi through embracing Tikanga Māori and Māori worldviews alongside Christian and other belief systems. It encourages critical thinking, cultural respect, and personal connection, equipping students for an inclusive exploration of spirituality.