Pākihi Māori Start

Lesson Overview

Unit: Building a Māori Business (Lesson 1 of 10)
Duration: 45 minutes
Year Levels: 1-4
Class Size: 30 Students
Subject: Business (Through Te Marautanga o Aotearoa Framework)

---

Learning Intentions

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

• Understand and explain what a Pākihi Māori (Māori business) is.
• Recognise the importance of Pākihi Māori within the whānau (family) and wider community.
• Identify key principles that guide Māori businesses, such as whanaungatanga (relationships), manaakitanga (care), and kaitiakitanga (guardianship).
• Hear and see examples of successful Māori entrepreneurs to inspire learners.

Aligned with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa:

• Supports the Principle of Te Reo me ōna Tikanga (language and customs) – anchoring learning in Māori knowledge and values.
• Develops the Key Competencies of Relating to Others, Participating and Contributing and Thinking, essential in business contexts.
• Fulfils the Social Sciences learning area with focus on understanding Ōhanga (economic activities) in Māori contexts and how these shape community wellbeing (Years 1-4 curriculum).

---

Resources Needed

• Short video clips showcasing Māori entrepreneurs (prepared by teacher) – simple visuals with Māori narration/subtitles.
• Large chart paper or whiteboard.
• Markers, coloured pencils.
• Handout with simple whakataukī (proverbs) about business and community (optional).
• Picture cards illustrating Māori business principles.

---

Lesson Breakdown

1. Whakatau / Welcome and Karakia (5 minutes)

• Begin with a simple karakia to set a respectful and focused tone.
• Briefly explain today’s learning: Today we start a journey to explore Pākihi Māori – Māori businesses and how they help our communities.

2. Activation / Prior Knowledge (5 minutes)

• Ask: “What do you think a business is?” Record answers on whiteboard.
• Prompt: Discuss things they might see being sold or made in their neighbourhood or at school.
• Introduce the term Pākihi Māori – a business started and run by Māori guided by Māori values.

3. Video Clips and Discussion (15 minutes)

• Watch 2 short clips (3-4 mins each) of Māori entrepreneurs talking about their businesses (e.g., crafts, food, technology).
• Pause after each clip, ask simple reflective questions such as:
  • “What do you notice about how they work with people?”
  • “What values or ideas do you think are important to them?”
• Emphasise the connection to whānau, community, and the environment as they work.

4. Group Activity – Māori Business Principles (12 minutes)

• Introduce 3 simple principles (whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga) using picture cards and brief explanations.
• In small groups of 5, students discuss and draw or write examples of how they think these principles might be used in a business.
  • e.g., sharing, helping others, taking care of resources.
• Groups share one idea with the whole class.

5. Reflection and Whakataukī (5 minutes)

• Share a simple whakataukī about business or working together, e.g.:
  “Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini” — My strength is not that of an individual but that of the collective.
• Discuss what this means in business and life.
• Invite students to share what they enjoyed or learned today.

---

Assessment and Reflection

• Teacher observes students’ participation in discussion and group work, noting their understanding of key ideas such as community and values.
• Informal questioning throughout, noting students' ability to relate principles to real life and Māori business concepts.
• Have students verbally explain one thing a Pākihi Māori is or draw a picture representing a principle.

---

Teacher Notes

• Use clear, simple language appropriate for years 1-4.
• Reinforce te reo Māori with key vocabulary repeated and displayed.
• Use visual supports heavily to support comprehension and engagement.
• Encourage whakawhanaungatanga to allow students to feel safe sharing their ideas.
• Connect learning to students’ own experiences and local Māori businesses if possible.

---

Curriculum Connections

Te Marautanga o Aotearoa – Social Sciences, Years 1-4

• Achievement Objectives:
  • Understand how people in their whanau and community engage in economic activities (Ōhanga).
  • Recognise the roles and responsibilities guided by tikanga Māori in these activities.
• Principles: Emphasises Māori world views and values, supporting self-determination, and community participation.
• Key Competencies:
  • Relating to others (collaboration, respect).
  • Participating and contributing (active participation in community contexts).
  • Thinking (making connections and understanding concepts).

---

This lesson balances tikanga Māori and business concepts by introducing students to the living values behind Māori entrepreneurship, encouraging them to see business as a community-strengthening activity and part of their identity.

Teachers may build on this foundation throughout the unit “Building a Māori Business” by inviting local Māori entrepreneurs or creating simple business projects that embed these principles.

---

If you require a fully detailed sequence for the next lessons or specific activities for diverse learning needs, feel free to ask!