Introduction to Te Ao Haka

Unit: Exploring Te Ao Haka

Year Level: 13 Duration: 55 minutes Class size: 25 students Subject: Drama

Lesson Description

In this first lesson of the unit "Exploring Te Ao Haka," students will delve into the cultural significance of Te Ao Haka and understand its core performance principles. The lesson introduces key elements—such as cultural context, tikanga Māori (protocols), and expressive components of haka—and aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum by fostering understanding of Māori culture through drama, respecting Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and developing key competencies relevant for living and participating in society.

Curriculum Links

Learning Area: The Arts — Drama

Strand: Developing Ideas
Level: 8 (Year 13)
Achievement Objective:
Develop and apply ideas in a drama context in a range of situations, including the use of Māori cultural perspectives and performance styles.
Understand and use drama conventions to communicate ideas and meaning.

Key Competencies Addressed

Thinking: Critical and creative thinking about cultural identity and artistic expression.
Using language, symbols, and texts: Understanding tikanga and Māori performance conventions.
Relating to others: Respectful engagement with Māori culture and group collaboration during performance.
Managing self: Taking responsibility for respectful participation and personal learning goals.
Participating and contributing: Engaging in shared knowledge building and performance.

Principles of the NZ Curriculum supporting this lesson:

Inclusion: Celebrating and incorporating Māori world views (Te Ao Māori) to reflect bicultural heritage.
Community Engagement: Connecting students with local tikanga and mātauranga Māori (knowledge).
High Expectations: Encouraging achievement through culturally responsive practices.

Learning Objectives

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

Explain the cultural significance of Te Ao Haka within Māori society and New Zealand’s heritage.
Identify key elements and performance principles of Te Ao Haka (e.g., posture, chant, rhythm, and expression).
Demonstrate respect and sensitivity towards Māori cultural practices and perspectives in drama.
Reflect on the role of haka as a powerful medium of storytelling, identity, and community strength.

Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Description	Resources & Notes
0-5 min	Welcome and Introduction	Brief overview of the unit "Exploring Te Ao Haka" and today’s lesson objectives. Acknowledge the importance of Māori culture and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in learning.	Use waiata or karakia to open respectfully.
5-15 min	Cultural Context Presentation	Use a multimodal presentation (images, video clips of haka performances, powerful oratory) to explore haka’s role historically and today — including war preparation, celebration, and protest. Facilitate brief discussion to capture students’ initial understandings and questions.	Projection of high-quality haka performances; local iwi context if possible.
15-30 min	Exploration of Performance Principles	Interactive demonstration of key performance elements (e.g., stance (ha), chanting (whaikōrero), facial expression (ngākau), rhythm and group unity). Next, students practice the posture and a simple chant with the teacher guiding tikanga protocols and respect.	Open space; small mirrored area or use video feedback if possible.
30-45 min	Group Discussion & Reflection	In small groups, students discuss:

What haka means beyond performance (connection to identity, community, and history)
Why doing haka requires understanding and respect Groups share insights. Teacher highlights the connection to drama as storytelling and cultural expression. | Provide guiding questions on handouts or whiteboard. | | 45-53 min | Written Reflection & Goal Setting | Individually, students write a brief reflective response:
What stood out to them about Te Ao Haka?
What they want to learn or explore more deeply in this unit. Teacher collects these for formative assessment. | Writing materials or digital devices | | 53-55 min | Closing & Karakia | Come together to close the lesson respectfully with a karakia or waiata. Outline expectations for next lesson and encourage kotahitanga (unity) and manaakitanga (respect) moving forward. | Classroom arranged to encourage collective participation |

Assessment

Formative: Observation of respectful participation and engagement during performance practice.
Written reflection: Assesses students’ understanding of the significance of Te Ao Haka and their personal learning goals.
Teacher feedback: Immediate formative feedback during performance exploration emphasizing tikanga and cultural safety.

Additional Notes for Teachers

Provide clear tikanga guidance at the start — emphasize why respectful engagement is vital when performing haka.
Encourage students to consider haka not just as a dramatic art form but as a living cultural practice imbued with identity and mana.
Scaffold complex Māori concepts with contextual explanations to support all learners.
Where possible, include local iwi and kaumātua voices (through video or guest speaker) in future lessons for authenticity.
Reinforce links to the New Zealand Curriculum values such as diversity, equity, and respect for cultural heritage.

This lesson plan embraces the holistic and bicultural vision of the New Zealand Curriculum, blending artistic exploration with deep cultural understanding, supporting young people to grow as competent and respectful participants in Aotearoa New Zealand society.

If you require further details on achievement objectives or resources aligned with the curriculum framework, I can assist in expanding this plan.

Teaching Instructions