Māui’s Big Catch

Overview

This 60-minute session for Year 7 Māori-medium students is designed to explore the traditional Māori legend of Māui fishing up Te Ika a Māui (the North Island). Guided by the Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, this lesson develops cultural knowledge, oral storytelling skills, and confidence in performing a whakaari — a short dramatic presentation.

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Learning Objectives (Ngā Whāinga Ako)

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

• Understand and retell the legend of how Māui fished up Te Ika a Māui using appropriate te reo Māori vocabulary and narrative structures.
• Demonstrate collaboration, creativity, and oral language skills by creating and presenting a simple whakaari based on the story.
• Connect the legend with Tikanga Māori values such as whanaungatanga (relationships) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship).
• Show confidence in speaking and performing in te reo Māori within a small group setting.

Alignment to Te Marautanga o Aotearoa

• Ngā Pānga ki te Ao Hītori me te Ao Tūroa (Social Studies): Understand Māori legends and their significance in explaining the natural world and identity.
• Ngā Reo Rua me ngā Mātauranga Māori (Languages and Cultural Knowledge): Use oral storytelling and performative skills to preserve and transmit Māori knowledge.
• Ngā Pūmanawa me ngā Tikanga (Competencies and Values): Develop interpersonal skills and show respect for ngā tikanga Māori through shared storytelling and role-play.

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Resources Needed

• A well-prepared, age-appropriate oral retelling of the legend of Māui and Te Ika a Māui (preferably with visual support such as pictures or a pepeha/story map).
• Space for small groups to perform a whakaari.
• Simple props (optional): e.g., ropes to represent fishing lines, cardboard fish shapes, cloaks, or hats representing Māui and other characters.
• Whiteboard or chart paper to brainstorm key story elements and vocabulary.

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Lesson Outline

1. Whakawhanaungatanga and Introduction (10 minutes)

• Start with a warm greeting and karakia to set the wairua (spirit) of the lesson.
• Engage students with a brief discussion: "Have you heard the story of Māui and how he caught the North Island, Te Ika a Māui?" (Ngā Pātai)
• Show visuals or recount a storytelling pepeha emphasizing key parts of the story — Māui’s fishing expedition, the struggle with the great fish, and the naming of the island.
• Introduce and clarify key vocabulary (e.g. ika, ika nui, toki, waka, Māui, tangaroa) through interactive questioning and using the Whare Kōrero structure (introduction, build-up, climax, resolution).

2. Storytelling and Language Exploration (15 minutes)

• Tell the legend in te reo Māori with expressive gestures and invite students to join in key repeated phrases (e.g., “Haruru ana te moana!”).
• Use images or enact certain parts as a group to deepen understanding and engagement.
• Discuss the moral or significance of the legend, linking to values of manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga.
• Prompt students to recall parts of the story and sequence events orally in pairs or small groups to rehearse their storytelling skills.

3. Creation of Whakaari (25 minutes)

• Explain the task: students will create a short whakaari (dramatic performance) in small groups (2-4 students) based on the legend.
• Groups brainstorm and choose a key moment from the story to dramatise (e.g., Māui casting the hook, the struggle with Te Ika, the carving up of the fish).
• Allow time for planning simple dialogue, actions, and use of props. Support students to use te reo Māori phrases and appropriate gestures.
• Each group performs their whakaari for the class, encouraging attentive listening and respectful responses.

4. Reflection and Sharing (10 minutes)

• Gather students to reflect on their learning using sentence starters:
• "I learned that..."
• "I enjoyed..."
• "I will remember that..."
• Discuss the importance of legends like this in maintaining Māori culture and identity.
• End with a karakia or waiata to acknowledge their mahi (work).

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Assessment Opportunities

• Formative: Observe students’ ability to retell the story orally, use of te reo Māori vocabulary, and participation in group planning.
• Performance: Assess the creativity, collaboration, and oral language skills in students’ whakaari presentations.
• Reflection: Evaluate students’ understanding through their sharing and ability to make personal connections to the legend and Māori values.

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Competencies Focus

• Communication: Speaking and listening skills in te reo Māori; clear storytelling and use of expressive language.
• Participating and Contributing: Working collaboratively in groups to plan and perform.
• Managing Self: Showing confidence and responsibility in performance tasks.
• Thinking: Interpreting traditional narratives and connecting them to cultural values.

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This lesson plan is designed to be culturally responsive and Aboriginal-centred, embedding Māori language and worldview throughout the learning. It fosters manaakitanga in the classroom, ensuring every ākonga feels valued and supported to express their creativity and understanding of this foundational legend.

Ngā mihi nui mō tō mahi whakamiharo, and enjoy your teaching journey with Māui!

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If you would like, I can also provide a detailed speech script of the legend or sample dialogue for the whakaari. Let me know!