Kōrero Tēnā, Ka Kite

Overview

Students learn and practise simple greetings and farewells in te reo Māori, choosing language for one person, two people, or a group. The lesson builds confidence through listening, repetition, movement and short, respectful interactions.

Learning intentions

• We are learning to greet people in te reo Māori.
• We are learning to say farewell appropriately.
• We are learning to choose a term of address for one person, two people or a group.
• We are learning to use greetings and farewells respectfully.

Success criteria

• I can say Kia ora and Tēnā koe to greet someone.
• I can use Tēnā kōrua for two people and Tēnā koutou for three or more people.
• I can say Ka kite or Ka kite anō when leaving.
• I can take part in a short greeting and farewell conversation.

Curriculum links

• Te Mātaiaho Te Reo Māori Novice 2 teaching sequence: Greetings using terms of address.
• Te Mātaiaho Te Reo Māori Novice 2 teaching sequence: Using greetings and terms of address to show respect.
• Te Mātaiaho Te Reo Māori Emergent 1 teaching sequence: Using formulaic language to support meaningful interactions.
• Progression towards participating confidently in short, familiar interactions using te reo Māori.

Lesson structure (20 minutes)

1. 0–3 min · Welcome and listen. Open with the greeting picture hook showing a child arriving at school and another child leaving. Ask, “What could they say?” Say Kia ora and Ka kite, using clear expression and gestures. Students listen, watch the gestures and repeat each phrase as a whole class.

2. 3–7 min · Teach the phrases. Use the teaching slides to introduce Kia ora – hello/thank you, Tēnā koe – greeting one person, Tēnā kōrua – greeting two people, Tēnā koutou – greeting three or more people, and Ka kite / Ka kite anō – goodbye/see you again. Model each phrase naturally, then students echo it with a partner. Emphasise that greetings and terms of address show respect.

3. 7–11 min · Match the number. Display the one-person, two-person and group images on the number-of-people slides. Call out a situation, such as “one person” or “three people”; students show one, two or three fingers and say the matching phrase. Invite different students to lead one round. Recast pronunciation positively rather than interrupting fluency.

4. 11–16 min · Greeting circle. Hand out the everyday greetings flashcards to pairs or small groups. Students take turns choosing a card, walking to a classmate or group, and using the appropriate greeting. The classmate replies Kia ora, and the first student finishes with Ka kite before returning to their place. Circulate, quietly prompt hesitant speakers and ensure every student has several turns.

5. 16–19 min · Create a mini-dialogue. Distribute the greetings and farewells practice sheet. Students complete the picture-supported matching task and practise the short dialogue with a partner: A: Kia ora / Tēnā koe. B: Kia ora. A: Ka kite. B: Ka kite anō. Students who are ready substitute Tēnā kōrua or Tēnā koutou for the greeting.

6. 19–20 min · Share and farewell. Return to the final practice slide. Select two pairs to perform their dialogue, then lead the class in a final greeting and farewell: Kia ora koutou katoa e hoa mā. Ka kite anō. Students respond together and show a thumbs-up, sideways or down to indicate their confidence.

Resources

• the greeting and farewell slide deck
• the greetings and farewells practice sheet
• the everyday greetings flashcards
• Whiteboard or interactive display
• Space for students to move safely
• Pencils or crayons
• Optional teacher pronunciation model or audio recording

Assessment

• Listen during echo practice for students’ pronunciation of koe, kōrua and koutou; model again without requiring individual students to perform publicly.
• During the greeting circle, check whether students select a term of address that matches one person, two people or a group and use a farewell at the end.
• Use the final dialogue and worksheet to identify students who can independently complete a respectful greeting-and-farewell exchange.

Differentiation

• Support learners with gestures, picture cues, choral repetition and a visible phrase bank. Allow students to point to a phrase before saying it and practise with a trusted partner.
• For younger learners or students new to te reo Māori, focus first on Kia ora, Tēnā koe and Ka kite; introduce Tēnā kōrua and Tēnā koutou through the group game.
• Pair students strategically and accept approximations while confidence develops. Provide extra processing time and avoid putting students on the spot.
• Extend confident speakers by asking them to greet two or more people correctly, use Ka kite anō, and lead a short exchange for another pair.