Tūrangawaewae and Identity

Lesson Overview

Year Level: Year 7
Curriculum Area: Social Sciences – Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories (Level 4)
Unit Title: Caring for Our Land (Lesson 1 of 10)
Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 60 students

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand the concept of Tūrangawaewae and its cultural significance in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Reflect on their own places of belonging and how these places shape their identities.
• Begin to explore the connection between land, people, and history in Aotearoa.

Key Concepts

• Tūrangawaewae – a place to stand, belonging, and connection to land.
• Connections to Place – how locations shape identity and community.
• Cultural Perspectives – understanding Māori perspectives on belonging and whenua (land).

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Lesson Structure

1. Karakia and Whanaungatanga (5 mins)

• Begin with a karakia (opening prayer/blessing) to centre the class and set a respectful tone.
• Conduct a short whanaungatanga (getting to know each other) activity.
  • Ask students to turn to a classmate they don’t know well and share where they were born and a place that is special to them.

2. Introduction to Tūrangawaewae (10 mins)

• Teacher-led discussion:
  • Write the word Tūrangawaewae on the board. Ask students to break it down:
    • Tūranga = standing place
    • Waewae = feet
    • Discuss what it could mean and why it might be important in Māori culture.
  • Show a physical map of Aotearoa New Zealand and locate familiar landmarks.
  • Explain that Tūrangawaewae is more than just where you live—it’s about places that make you feel strong, connected, and part of something bigger.

3. Personal Reflection: "Where Do I Belong?" (10 mins)

• Independent Task:
  • Ask students to think about a place that is important to them (e.g., marae, beach, home, sports club).
  • On a small card, they write:
    • The name of the place.
    • Why it is significant to them.
    • A memory tied to that place.
• Pair-share activity: students share their cards with a partner.

4. Group Exploration: Mapping Our Connections (15 mins)

• Interactive Activity:
  • Create a classroom map (large paper or projected digital map of NZ).
  • Students take turns placing a sticker or label where their special places are.
  • Discuss patterns that emerge:
    • Are there clusters of places?
    • How do different people connect to the land?
    • Are there similarities in the types of places (whānau homes, nature spots, community spaces)?

5. Connecting to Aotearoa’s History (15 mins)

• Storytelling:
  • Share a pūrākau (traditional Māori story) about a figure who had a Tūrangawaewae (e.g., Kupe, Māui, or iwi-specific narratives).
• Class discussion:
  • What can we learn from these stories about belonging?
  • How did Māori navigate and settle in Aotearoa?
  • Why is knowing your Tūrangawaewae important today?

6. Wrap-Up and Reflection (5 mins)

• Think-Pair-Share:
  • "How does Tūrangawaewae shape identity?"
  • “What new ideas or connections did I make today?”
• End with a brief karakia whakakapi (closing blessing).

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Assessment & Follow-up

• Formative Assessment:
  • Collect student reflection cards to understand their personal connections to place.
  • Observe participation in mapping and discussion activities.
• Homework:
  • Ask students to interview a family member about a place that is special to them.
  • Bring a photo or drawing of their Tūrangawaewae for the next lesson.

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Teacher Notes & Adaptations

✅ Inclusivity Considerations:

• Be mindful that some students may not feel a strong connection to a particular place. Encourage them to consider places where they feel comfortable or safe.
• Acknowledge cultural diversity by allowing students to share places outside of New Zealand.

✅ Differentiation Strategies:

• Allow students to create a visual or oral presentation if they struggle with writing.
• Provide Māori language keywords as an extension for students familiar with te reo.

✅ Extension Activities:

• Research how iwi recognise and maintain connections to their whenua today.
• Visit a local marae or set up a virtual tour to deepen learning.

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Reflection for Next Lesson

• How engaged were students in discussions?
• Were students able to articulate their connections to place?
• How can we build on this foundation in Lesson 2?

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This lesson ensures a deep, engaging, and interactive introduction to Tūrangawaewae for Year 7 students, fostering a personal connection to their learning while embedding key historical and cultural understandings.