Ngāti Kuri Stories

Overview

This 60-minute lesson invites Years 6-7 students to explore the history, land, and intertribal relationships of Ngāti Kuri and Mokohōrea. Central to the learning is understanding the significance of Taumatawhana Pā and Nga Tama a Tautanui Pā to Ngāti Kuri and the Ngātaki region. The lesson aligns closely with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa concepts of identity, whakapapa, and the weaving of knowledge through stories and relationships with the land.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand the historical context and tribal connections of Ngāti Kuri and Mokohōrea, with particular focus on Taumatawhana Pā and Nga Tama a Tautanui Pā.
• Describe the significance of these pā sites to the iwi and the wider Ngātaki region.
• Demonstrate understanding of Māori concepts of whenua (land), iwi relationships, and the importance of storytelling (pūrākau) in maintaining tribal identity.
• Engage respectfully with knowledge from their local iwi and community.

Curriculum links:

• Ngā kaupapa matua (Key competencies): Manaakitanga (Respect), Whanaungatanga (Relationship building)
• Learning area: Pūtaiao ā-iwi me te Ao Mārama (Social Sciences and knowledge of the natural world)
• Progress outcomes: Develop understanding of iwi histories, tribal resources (whenua), and participation in communal storytelling to nurture identity.

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Resources Needed

• Visuals: Maps of Ngātaki rohe showing pā locations, images/illustrations of Taumatawhana and Nga Tama a Tautanui Pā
• Story cards or copies of pūrākau relating to Ngāti Kuri and Mokohōrea
• Paper, colouring materials for creative activity
• Whiteboard or chart paper for collective brainstorming

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Lesson Plan Breakdown (60 mins)

1. Karakia & Whakawhanaungatanga (5 mins)

• Begin with a karakia to whakatau (settle) the class, acknowledging the learning will be guided by the knowledge of Ngāti Kuri.
• Brief pepeha or waiata to connect to whenua and tangata of Ngātaki.
• Share the lesson's focus clearly in te reo Māori, reiterating the importance of tikanga and respect.

2. Introduction & Context (10 mins)

• Show map of Ngātaki area highlighting Taumatawhana Pā and Nga Tama a Tautanui Pā.
• Share key information/talking points on Ngāti Kuri and Mokohōrea hapū: their whenua, history, and whakapapa connections.
• Use a storytelling approach to describe the significance of these pā as tūrangawaewae (places of belonging) and centers of tribal life.
• Discuss the meaning of pā (fortified village) in terms understandable for the students.

3. Group Activity: Story Mapping (15 mins)

• Divide class into groups of 4. Each receives cartes with excerpts from pūrākau or historical facts about Ngāti Kuri and the pā sites.
• Students work together to create a visual map/story chart on large paper combining the land features, the pā, and the iwi connections.
• Encourage use of Māori terms and symbols.

4. Sharing & Discussion (10 mins)

• Groups present their story maps, explaining the connections they’ve discovered between whenua, pā, and iwi.
• Teacher facilitates discussion on why these connections matter today and how they help maintain iwi identity and relationships.

5. Creative Reflection: Symbol of Belonging (15 mins)

• Individually, students draw or construct a symbol, emblem, or piece of art representing what they have learned about Ngāti Kuri, Mokohōrea, or the pā of Ngātaki.
• Invite volunteers to share and explain their creations.
• Reinforce the idea that stories, land, and relationships create a sense of belonging (mana whenua).

6. Closing (5 mins)

• Recap key learnings emphasizing the importance of Taumatawhana Pā and Nga Tama a Tautanui Pā's place in Ngāti Kuri history and identity.
• Close with a karakia or waiata related to whenua or whakapapa.
• Encourage students to share their learning with whānau and reflect on their own connections to whenua or family heritage.

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Assessment and Reflection

• Formative assessment through observation during group work and presentations: Are students using te reo Māori terms? Can they explain the importance of the pā?
• Creative work as evidence of individual understanding and reflection on tūrangawaewae and iwi connection.
• Teacher to keep anecdotal notes on engagement with tikanga, pūrākau, and collaboration, aligned with competencies in Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.

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Additional Notes

• Use te reo Māori primarily throughout, providing English explanations only if needed, to align with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa immersion goals.
• Incorporate local kaumātua or iwi representatives if possible for authentic storytelling and to further enrich learning.
• Emphasise respect for tikanga and the mana of the iwi stories and land discussed.

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This lesson follows the spirit of Te Marautanga o Aotearoa with its emphasis on identity, language, historical understanding, and relationships, and focuses on the specific iwi context of Ngāti Kuri and their significant pā within Ngātaki, providing a culturally grounded, locally relevant, and age-appropriate learning experience for students.