Raperape Pattern Design

Overview

This 40-minute lesson introduces Year 11 students in New Zealand to the cultural significance and artistic design of Rāperāpe, traditional Māori tattoo patterns. Students will explore the meaning behind Rāperāpe and then engage in creating their own Rāperāpe-inspired drawing and simple carving.

The lesson aligns with The New Zealand Curriculum, focusing on Art learning area achievement objectives and key competencies, and integrates tikanga Māori perspectives to enrich cultural understanding.

Learning Objectives

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

Understand and explain the meaning and cultural significance of Rāperāpe in Māori art and identity.
Demonstrate knowledge of traditional Māori carving motifs and patterns.
Create an original Rāperāpe-inspired design through drawing.
Translate their design into a physical form using simple carving techniques.

Curriculum Links

The New Zealand Curriculum (Arts) — Visual Arts

Achievement Objective (Level 6–7 / Year 11):

Understanding the arts in context Students will investigate and explain the meaning of art works from different contexts and cultures, including Māori artworks.
Developing practical skills
Students will use visual conventions and techniques with confidence to communicate their ideas.
Explore and create art works that demonstrate craftsmanship in two- and three-dimensional forms.
Key Competencies Developed:
Thinking: students use creative thinking to develop their own Rāperāpe design.
Using language, symbols and texts: interpreting meanings of Māori motifs and conveying these in design.
Participating and contributing: engaging in cultural learning and respectful artistic practice.

Materials Needed

Images/examples of traditional Rāperāpe tattoos and carving patterns.
Visual aids explaining the meanings of common motifs in Rāperāpe.
Sketching paper, pencils, erasers.
Soft carving blocks (e.g., linoleum or soft wood), carving tools appropriate for beginners.
Safety gloves for carving.
Reference sheets with Māori motifs and patterns.

Lesson Plan Structure (40 minutes)

1. Introduction to Rāperāpe (8 minutes)

Teacher-driven presentation/interactive discussion:
Explain what Rāperāpe is — traditional Māori tattoo patterns often seen in whakairo (carving) and tā moko (tattooing).
Discuss the cultural significance reflecting identity, genealogy (whakapapa), and stories of ancestors.
Show high-quality images of Rāperāpe patterns on carvings and moko—highlight repetition, symmetry, and symbolic meaning.
Ask:
What do students notice about the patterns? What might they represent?
Why is it important to understand the meaning behind these designs?

2. Exploration of Motifs and Drawing (12 minutes)

Activity:
Students will examine a reference sheet of common Rāperāpe motifs (e.g., koru, pātiki, kaokao lines).
Task: Design their own simple Rāperāpe pattern on paper, using repetition and symmetry inspired by what they have learned.
Teacher circulates to provide guidance on pattern construction, alignment, and symbolism.

3. Carving Preparation and Practice (15 minutes)

Demonstration:
Show safe carving techniques and demonstrate how to transfer a design from paper onto a soft carving block.
Discuss the physical aspect of traditional whakairo and its importance.
Activity:
Students carefully transfer one element or section of their drawn Rāperāpe design onto the carving block.
Begin carving under supervision, focusing on clean lines and attention to pattern detail.

Safety emphasis: correct handling of tools, wearing gloves, carving away from the body.

4. Reflection and Wrap-up (5 minutes)

Group reflection:
Invite students to share the meaning behind their design and describe what they learned about Rāperāpe.
Discuss how creating the design and carving deepened their understanding.
Reinforce respect and cultural significance of the motifs.
Homework suggestion: Encourage students to research another Māori motif or artwork and prepare to share its meaning in the next class.

Assessment & Feedback

Informal formative assessment will occur through teacher observations during drawing and carving activities.
Assess students' ability to apply understanding of Māori motifs in their original design.
Provide feedback focusing on effort, adherence to Māori design principles (symmetry, repetition), and cultural understanding.

Extension and Enrichment

Incorporate digital media to create Rāperāpe designs with software tools for students confident with technology.
Invite a local Māori artist or carver for a guest session to deepen understanding of Māori carving practices.

This lesson actively promotes cultural responsiveness and aligns with The New Zealand Curriculum’s vision to engage students with Aotearoa New Zealand’s bicultural heritage, supporting identity affirmation and expressive creativity through art.

Would you like a suggested resource list or ideas for follow-up lessons to build on this unit?

Teaching Instructions