Guardians of Environment

Overview

This 60-minute lesson explores the concept of kaitiakitanga (guardianship and stewardship of the environment) within the context of Religious Education for Year 11 students in New Zealand. It aligns closely with the New Zealand Curriculum to foster students' understanding of Māori values and their application to environmental and spiritual guardianship, actively engaging the Key Competencies and supporting the students to become empathetic, mindful, and contributing citizens.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

Understand the concept of kaitiakitanga as it relates to stewardship, spirituality, and environmental ethics, grounded in Māori worldview (Curriculum Value: Whakamana i te mātauranga Māori – Valuing Māori knowledge) .
Explore how kaitiakitanga links to Religious Education concepts about caring for creation and respect for life.
Develop empathy and critical thinking by reflecting on their role as guardians of the environment, connecting to the Key Competencies: Managing self, Relating to others, and Participating and contributing .
Communicate informed perspectives, drawing on evidence and diverse worldviews (including Māori and Christian perspectives) about environmental stewardship.

Relevant NZC Levels: Years 9–11 in Religious Education, aligned with the phase 5 critical focus: "Navigating pathways and developing agency to help shape the future" .

Key Competencies Addressed

Managing self: Students set personal learning goals around environmental responsibility.
Relating to others: Respect for diverse views on spirituality and environment.
Participating and contributing: Contributing ideas on sustainability and guardianship.
Thinking: Critically reflecting on issues and possible actions for kaitiakitanga.
Using language, symbols, and texts: Using oral, written, and visual language to express ideas.

Resources Needed

Projector or whiteboard
Paper and coloured pens/markers
Printed excerpts of Māori creation stories or whakataukī (proverbs) related to kaitiakitanga
Images of natural environments in New Zealand
Case study handout outlining modern examples of kaitiakitanga actions (e.g., conservation groups, marae guardianship)
Reflection journals or paper

Lesson Breakdown

Time	Activity	Description	NZ Curriculum Alignment
0-10 mins	Introduction & Engagement	- Begin by asking students what kaitiakitanga means to them. - Show images of natural environments and quote whakataukī (e.g., "Whāia te mātauranga hei oranga mō koutou" – Pursue knowledge for your wellbeing). - Provide a concise definition: kaitiakitanga means guardianship and care for the environment, rooted in Māori spiritual and cultural values. - Link to Religious Education: the role of spirituality in caring for the world.	Values: Valuing Māori knowledge and identity; Key Competency: Thinking, Relating to others
10-20 mins	Exploration through Story and Discussion	- Read or play excerpts from traditional Māori creation stories that highlight kaitiakitanga (e.g., stories about Tāne Mahuta or Papatuanuku). - Briefly compare with Christian stewardship teachings about caring for creation. - Class discussion: Why is kaitiakitanga important? How does it shape behaviours toward the environment?	Learning Area: Religious Education inclusion of Te Ao Māori perspectives; Critical focus Phase 5 RE: empathetic and sustainable citizenship
20-35 mins	Group Activity: Kaitiakitanga in Action	- Divide students into 4 groups. - Each group receives a case study handout describing a real-life example of kaitiakitanga (e.g., school garden project, restoration of a local stream, Māori tribal guardianship, national conservation effort). - Groups identify key aspects of kaitiakitanga shown and prepare a 2-minute presentation explaining how it reflects spiritual and practical guardianship. - Encourage inclusion of how values and responsibilities are expressed.	Social Sciences & RE integration; Developing the Key Competencies of Participation and Contribution, Thinking and Using Language, Symbols, and Texts
35-45 mins	Group Presentations and Class Synthesis	- Each group presents. - After presentations, facilitate whole-class synthesis: What common themes link these examples? How can we, as individuals and as a community, practice kaitiakitanga? - Create a mind map on the board with student contributions, emphasizing values of respect, responsibility, and spirituality.	Curriculum Principles: Treaty of Waitangi; Inclusion of Māori worldview; Key Competency: Relating to others, Thinking
45-55 mins	Individual Reflection & Journaling	- Students take 10 minutes to write their reflections: What does kaitiakitanga mean to me personally? How can I be a kaitiaki in my daily life? What challenges might I face? - Encourage openness and use of ideas and language learned.	Supports Developing Self-Management and Reflective Practice (Key Competencies)
55-60 mins	Closing & Next Steps	- Invite a few volunteers to share reflections. - Summarize key points. - Set a challenge for students to undertake one act of kaitiakitanga in the coming week and report back. - Collect reflection journals as formative assessment evidence.	Assessment for Learning: Reflective practice and personal connection to learning; Link to future-focused education

Assessment

Formative assessment through observation during group discussions and presentations (demonstrated understanding of kaitiakitanga concepts and ability to communicate respectfully).
Individual reflection journals assessed for depth of understanding, personal connection, and ability to express ideas clearly.
Opportunities for self-assessment with structured reflection questions, aligning with Key Competencies and curriculum emphasis on self-monitoring.

Teacher Notes

Emphasise respect for all perspectives, encouraging a safe learning environment for sharing.
Support students who may find Māori language or concepts unfamiliar by offering vocabulary/background explanations.
Use teaching moments to connect kaitiakitanga as a living principle relevant in contemporary NZ society and aligned with spirituality in Religious Education.
Tailor group case studies to local contexts or to connect with students’ communities for greater relevance.

Curriculum Alignment Summary

NZ Curriculum Dimension	Specifics Relevant to Lesson
Vision & Principles	Reflects Treaty of Waitangi by incorporating Tikanga Māori and Māori worldview; Connected with sustainability and citizenship (Future Focus)
Values	Encourages students to value Māori knowledge and environmental stewardship
Key Competencies	Managing self, Relating to others, Participating and contributing, Thinking, Using language, symbols, and texts — explicitly integrated through activities and reflection
Learning area: Religious Education	Development of understanding about spirituality and guardianship aligned with student age and phase
Assessment	Use of formative assessment through reflective practice and presentations that support ongoing learning and agency development

This lesson plan provides a meaningful, culturally-grounded, and engaging approach to teaching kaitiakitanga in Year 11 Religious Education classes. It purposefully draws on New Zealand Curriculum priorities and fosters students’ identities, critical thinking, and agency to become proactive kaitiaki of their environment and communities.

Teaching Instructions