Music Festivals Impact

Year 12 | 45-minute session | Class size: 30

Unit: Exploring New Zealand Music - Lesson 6 of 30

Topic: The Role of Music Festivals

---

Curriculum Alignment

This lesson aligns with The Arts Learning Area of the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) for Year 12 students, focusing on Music, and supports key principles, values, and key competencies including cultural diversity, active participation, and critical thinking.

• The Arts Learning Area Achievement Objectives (Level 8):
  • Develop understanding of the ways in which music communicates ideas and reflects identity, culture, and context.
  • Explore how music connects with the cultural identity and heritage of New Zealanders, including Māori and Pacific peoples.
• NZC Principles:
  • Treaty of Waitangi — acknowledge bi-cultural foundations.
  • Cultural diversity — reflect NZ's diverse cultures including Māori and Pacific communities.
  • Community engagement — learning is connected with local and wider communities.
• Key Competencies (NZC, pp.12-13):
  • Relating to others: exploring cultural significance through music festivals.
  • Thinking: critical and creative thinking about festival roles.
  • Participating and contributing: engaging in discussions and presentations.

---

Learning Objectives

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

1. Describe the cultural and musical significance of major New Zealand music festivals such as Te Matatini and Polyfest.
2. Analyse the role these festivals play in reflecting and shaping New Zealand's cultural identity and communities.
3. Reflect on how music festivals contribute to social cohesion and cultural celebration.
4. Communicate their findings effectively through group discussion and a creative expression task.

---

Lesson Outline

Time (minutes)	Activity	Description
0-5	Introduction & Context	Teacher introduces the topic with brief background on Te Matatini (Māori performing arts festival) and Polyfest (Pacific Island cultural festival). Highlight their musical and cultural importance in NZ society. Use images/video clips (if possible) to engage students.
5-15	Class Discussion	Facilitate a guided discussion: What role do music festivals play in community life and cultural expression? Link to Treaty of Waitangi and cultural diversity. Encourage students to share any personal or community experiences.
15-30	Group Research & Role Play	Class divides into small groups (5-6 students). Each group researches one festival (Te Matatini, Polyfest, or another NZ music festival like Rhythm & Vines briefly). Tasks: Identify key elements of the festival’s music, cultural role, and social importance. Groups prepare a short role-play or presentation depicting festival scenes expressing themes like identity, celebration, or community.
30-40	Group Presentations	Groups perform their role-plays or present their findings. Peers and teacher provide constructive feedback focusing on cultural insights and musical elements.
40-45	Reflection & Wrap-up	Individual quickwrite or oral reflection on: How do music festivals shape New Zealand's cultural identity and why are they important for young people today? Summarise key points and link to next lesson’s topic.

---

Resources & Materials

• Projector or screen for showing photos/videos of Te Matatini and Polyfest
• Research handouts or controlled webpage access for group work
• Paper or digital devices for creating presentations or role-plays
• Copies of NZC The Arts achievement objectives (summary) for reference

---

Assessment Opportunities

• Formative assessment through observation of group discussions and quality of presentations.
• Students demonstrate critical thinking by analysing festival importance and cultural value.
• Engagement in role-play assesses ability to express understanding of cultural context through arts.
• Reflection activity records individual comprehension and personal connection to topic.

---

Teacher Notes

• Encourage respectful understanding of Māori and Pacific cultures, emphasising the Treaty of Waitangi principles and NZ's cultural diversity.
• Use this lesson to develop students' interpersonal skills and confidence in presentation, aligned with NZC’s key competencies.
• Consider inviting a guest speaker or using authentic festival recordings in future lessons for deeper engagement.
• Ensure all students participate actively by assigning clear roles in group work.

---

Links to the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC)

• The Arts Learning Area Level 8: “Understanding the ways in which the arts contribute to cultural identity and community.”
• Principles: Treaty of Waitangi, Cultural Diversity, Community Engagement.
• Values: Excellence, Diversity, Community and Participation.
• Key Competencies: Thinking, Relating to others, Participating and Contributing.

---

This lesson supports students to connect deeply with New Zealand’s unique musical culture through active exploration of significant festivals, fostering both cultural awareness and expressive communication aligned with the national curriculum requirements and values.