Introduction to Waitangi

Curriculum Area: Social Sciences (Te Whāriki - Belonging | Mana Whenua)

Age Group: Preschool (3-5 years)

Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 12 students

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Recognise Waitangi Day as a special event in New Zealand.
• Understand in a basic way that people made an agreement (Treaty of Waitangi) a long time ago.
• Begin to explore the idea of working together and agreeing on rules.
• Engage with storytelling through visuals and props.

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Lesson Structure

1. Welcome and Settling In (10 minutes)

• Greet the children using a mix of English and Te Reo Māori: “Morena, tamariki mā!” (Good morning, children!).
• Sing a short waiata to settle the class, e.g., “Tēnā koutou” (Hello to you all).
• Introduce the lesson theme: “Today we are going to learn about a special day in Aotearoa called Waitangi Day!”

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2. Introduction to Waitangi (10 minutes)

• Bring out a large New Zealand flag and ask: “Do you know what this is?”
• Show a simple map of Aotearoa and point to Waitangi in Northland.
• Briefly explain in child-friendly language: “A long time ago, Māori people and British people made a big promise to work together. It all happened in a place called Waitangi.”

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3. Storytime – The Waitangi Story (15 minutes)

• Tell the story of the Treaty of Waitangi using large illustrated cards or a felt board:
  • A waka arrives in Aotearoa.
  • Māori and British leaders meet.
  • They talk about making a promise (Treaty).
  • They sign it on a big piece of paper.
  • People did not always agree on what it meant, but today we remember it as Waitangi Day!
• Use props: a feather as a quill (for signing), a rolled-up “Treaty” scroll, toy boats.
• Encourage students to act out parts (pretending to shake hands, signing a pretend treaty).

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4. Discussion – What Does It Mean? (10 minutes)

• Ask simple questions:
  • “Why do we think people made a special promise?” (To be fair, to get along).
  • “Do we also make agreements today?” (Yes! Sharing toys, listening to teachers).
• Relate it to classroom rules: “Just like the Treaty was an agreement, we have our own class agreements too!”

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5. Hands-On Activity – Treaty of Our Classroom (10 minutes)

• On a large butcher paper, write: “Our Class Treaty”.
• Ask each child to contribute a kind rule, e.g., “Be kind”, “Share toys”.
• Let children “sign” it with a handprint or crayon scribble.
• Display in the classroom for reference during the unit.

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6. Wrap-Up and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Recap the key idea: “Waitangi Day is about an important promise. We make promises too!”
• Sing “Ma is White” (a simple waiata with colours – linking to flags and unity).
• Finish with karakia whakamutunga (closing prayer/blessing).

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Resources Needed

✅ Large illustrated story cards or felt board pieces
✅ New Zealand flag
✅ Map of Aotearoa (simple, clear)
✅ Props (toy boats, feather quill, pretend treaty scroll)
✅ Butcher paper & markers for the class treaty
✅ Paint or crayons for signing

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Assessment & Observations

👀 Did children participate in storytelling and discussion?
🗣️ Could they share their idea of an agreement in simple terms?
🎨 Were they engaged in signing their classroom treaty?

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Extension Activities (for the next lessons in the unit)

• Lesson 2: Māori culture – kapa haka and traditional Māori greetings.
• Lesson 3: Understanding fairness – role-playing sharing scenarios.
• Lesson 4: Art – creating a collaborative class waka (canoe).
• Lesson 5: Waitangi Day celebration – dress-up, singing, and a class hangi!

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This highly interactive and age-appropriate lesson makes Waitangi Day accessible, meaningful, and engaging for preschool learners while fostering a sense of belonging (Mana Whenua). 🌿