Pompallier and Māori

Context and Curriculum Links

This 120-minute lesson is designed for Year 8 students in New Zealand, aligned closely with the New Zealand Curriculum, particularly:

Social Sciences: Understanding how people participate in and contribute to society, valuing different perspectives, and exploring key historical events in Aotearoa New Zealand.
English: Developing oral language and literacy through engaging with historical texts and storytelling, including supporting students with diverse learning needs and using literacy scaffolds.
Tikanga ā-Iwi me te Tiriti o Waitangi: Embedding principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and acknowledging the importance of Māori perspectives and te reo Māori where possible.
Key Competencies: Thinking critically, relating to others through cultural understanding, managing self in discussions, and using language to communicate ideas.

Learning Objectives (WALT)

WALT understand who Bishop Jean Baptiste Pompallier was, his journey to New Zealand, and his importance to Māori people.
WALT explore Pompallier’s role during the Treaty of Waitangi and his efforts to guarantee religious freedom.
WALT learn about the printing of Māori Bibles and the significance of the Motuti burial site.
WALT develop oral and written communication skills by sharing knowledge and engaging respectfully with historical perspectives.

Success Criteria

I can describe key facts about Bishop Pompallier’s arrival and mission in New Zealand.
I can explain why he was important to the Māori people, especially during the Treaty of Waitangi.
I can discuss the significance of his missionary work, including printing Māori Bibles.
I can identify why Motuti was chosen as his final resting place and its significance.
I can work cooperatively in groups and contribute to class discussions.
I can use appropriate historical vocabulary and respect cultural viewpoints.

Resources

Printed biography summaries about Bishop Pompallier (dyslexia-friendly fonts and formats).
Visual timeline of Pompallier’s voyage and mission stations.
Map of New Zealand highlighting Hokianga, Motuti, and Russell (Kororareka).
Copies of excerpts or images of Māori-language Bible pages.
Whiteboard and markers or digital presentation tools.
Vocabulary cards with key terms (e.g., Treaty of Waitangi, mission, religious freedom, printing press).
Sentence stems and graphic organisers.
Audio versions of texts or videos about Pompallier’s life (optional for diverse learners).

Lesson Breakdown

Introduction & Activate Prior Knowledge (15 mins)

WALT recall what we already know about the Treaty of Waitangi and early European contact.
Start with a brief class discussion: What do we know about early missionaries in New Zealand? Have you heard of Bishop Pompallier?
Show on the map where he arrived and highlight Hokianga.
Introduce key vocabulary with flashcards and have students say them aloud.

Differentiation:
Provide picture vocabulary cards and oral explanation for ELL and struggling readers.

Story of Bishop Pompallier’s Journey (20 mins)

Share a short, engaging story about Pompallier’s background: Born 1801 in Lyon, France; ordained priest 1829; appointed bishop 1836; travelled with four priests and three brothers of the Society of Mary.
Discuss the long voyage (sailed Dec 1836, arrived Jan 1838, about 13 months in total including stops at Pacific Islands and Sydney).
Show timeline and map, including stops (Wallis, Futuna, Tahiti, Tonga, Rotuma, Sydney).
Use a graphic organiser to map his journey and companions.
Students read a simplified dyslexia-friendly text aloud in small groups, emphasizing key facts.

Extension:
Research other missionaries who travelled with him and present a quick fact.

Pompallier’s Impact on Māori and Treaty of Waitangi (25 mins)

Explain the Treaty of Waitangi and Pompallier’s unique role: At Waitangi in 1840, he ensured religious freedom was guaranteed for all, influencing the fourth clause to protect Māori customs alongside religions.
Discuss how Pompallier travelled widely, establishing 16 mission stations by 1844, printed prayer books and Māori Bibles using a printing press at Kororareka.
Show images or replicas of Māori Bibles and explain literacy efforts among Māori.
Group activity: Students discuss in pairs “Why was Pompallier important to Māori?” and share with the class.

Dyslexia-friendly support:
Provide sentence starters: “Pompallier was important because...” / “He helped Māori by...”

Significance of Motuti and Burial (20 mins)

Explain Pompallier’s death in France in 1871 and reburial in 2002 at Motuti, Hokianga, where he first began missionary work.
Discuss why Motuti was chosen: significant as the mission site and Māori connection.
Show photos of St Mary’s Church, Motuti, and explain its cultural importance.
Class brainstorm: “Why do people choose important places for burial?”
Reflect on Māori values of connection to land and ancestors.

Creating a Class Mural: Pompallier’s Legacy (20 mins)

Students create a collaborative mural or poster summarizing Pompallier’s journey, work, and significance to Māori.
Divide roles: illustrators, writers (using sentence prompts), researchers.
Use te reo Māori phrases where possible (e.g., Karakia = prayer, Rongoā = healing) introduced during lesson.
Display this mural in the classroom as ongoing reference.

Extension:
Students write a short narrative or diary entry from Pompallier’s perspective or a Māori perspective.

Reflection and Assessment (15 mins)

Use exit cards or a digital poll:
1. Name two things you learned about Bishop Pompallier.
2. Why was he important to Māori?
3. What did the printing press do for Māori?
Teacher assesses understanding through written/oral responses and group participation.

Differentiation Strategies

Provide dyslexia-friendly texts (clear fonts, short sentences).
Use multimodal resources: oral stories, visuals, and hands-on activities.
Provide sentence starters and graphic organisers.
Pair ELL (English Language Learners) with strong peers.
Use cooperative learning to support reluctant speakers.
Allow extended time for writing tasks.

Extension Activities

Research other missionary figures in New Zealand history.
Create a timeline of early European missions in NZ and their interactions with Māori.
Investigate the current role of St Mary’s Church at Motuti.
Explore the process of printing in the 19th century versus today.

Alignment with New Zealand Curriculum

Social Sciences Level 4: Understand how people make choices to meet needs, how significant events shaped New Zealand society, and understand cultural perspectives and participation.
English Level 4: Engage with challenging texts, develop oral language skills, recount events, and communicate findings clearly.
Principles: Incorporates the Treaty of Waitangi Principle, and values cultural diversity, inclusion, and high expectations for all learners.
Key Competencies: Thinking, Using Language, Symbols and Texts, Managing Self, Relating to Others.

By situating Bishop Pompallier's story within the context of Māori experiences and the Treaty of Waitangi, the lesson fosters bicultural understanding and connects historical knowledge to students’ community and identity, .

If you require, I can also help create student handouts or presentation slides following this plan!

Teaching Instructions