Understanding Hawaiki

Context

This is Lesson 2 of 10 in the unit "Discovering Aotearoa's History" designed for Years 4 to 6 students. It introduces the concept of Hawaiki, the ancestral homeland of Māori, highlighting its cultural and historical significance.

Curriculum Links

Social Sciences - Level 2 & 3

Understand how Māori have responded to challenges and maintained their culture and traditions over time.
Understand how places and landscapes have special meaning to people.
Understand how cultural stories contribute to people’s sense of identity and belonging.

Achievement Objectives

Understand how Māori and other peoples in New Zealand view the importance of the past.
Explore Māori creation traditions and stories relating to the migration to Aotearoa.
Develop awareness of cultural heritage through storytelling and arts.

Key Competencies

Thinking: Students develop understanding through exploration of historical and cultural narratives.
Relating to others: Respectful listening and sharing ideas about cultural traditions.
Using language, symbols, and texts: Interpret and respond to storytelling, maps, and visual sources.
Participating and contributing: Engage in group activities that connect them with their heritage and others.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this 60-minute lesson, students will be able to:

Describe the concept of Hawaiki as the ancestral homeland of Māori.
Explain why Hawaiki is important in Māori cultural identity and history.
Recognise how stories like those of Hawaiki link to people’s sense of belonging and connection to the land.
Participate respectfully in discussions about Māori heritage and history.

Materials Needed

Large map of the Pacific and Aotearoa
Storytelling props (such as images or figure cards of waka, ocean, stars)
Māori legends/story book focused on Hawaiki
Drawing paper and colouring materials
Chart paper and markers for group brainstorming

Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction and Context Setting (10 minutes)

Begin with a brief recap of Lesson 1 (setting context of early Māori settlement in Aotearoa).
Show the large map of the Pacific and point out where Aotearoa is located.
Explain that today’s lesson will explore Hawaiki — where Māori ancestors came from.
Introduce the idea that Hawaiki is not just a physical place but holds deep cultural meaning.

Teaching Tip: Use simple, vivid language and encourage student questions.

2. Storytelling: The Journey from Hawaiki (15 minutes)

Read a carefully selected Māori legend or story about Hawaiki and the waka migrations.
Use storytelling props (waka image, stars for navigation) to make the story tangible.
Highlight key ideas: the voyages by sea, the stars used for navigation, and the importance of ancestors.

Engagement: Ask students to close their eyes and imagine the voyage or imagine what Hawaiki might look like.

3. Group Discussion and Brainstorm (10 minutes)

On chart paper, create two columns titled "What is Hawaiki?" and "Why is it important?"
Invite students to share ideas from the story and their understanding so far.
Encourage respectful listening and recording all ideas visibly.

Prompt questions:

“What do you think Hawaiki looks like?”
“Why might these stories be important for Māori today?”

4. Creative Activity: My Hawaiki Artwork (15 minutes)

Ask students to create their own drawing or painting depicting their idea of Hawaiki.
Encourage them to include aspects from the storytelling — waka, ocean, stars, ancestors.
As they work, circulate and engage students in conversations about their artwork and ideas.

5. Sharing and Reflection (7 minutes)

Invite a few students to share their artwork and explain their ideas.
Reflect as a class on how stories like those of Hawaiki help people feel connected to their culture and history.
Emphasise that understanding these stories helps us appreciate the cultural heritage of Aotearoa.

6. Conclusion and Home Connection (3 minutes)

Summarise key points about Hawaiki as an ancestral place.
Explain the next lesson will explore the journeys of the first Māori to Aotearoa.
Suggest students talk with whānau about their family stories or what they know about Hawaiki.

Assessment and Evidence Gathering

Observe student participation in discussions to gauge understanding and respect for cultural knowledge.
Review students’ artwork to assess comprehension of Hawaiki’s significance.
Use questioning during and after the story to check understanding.

Teacher Reflection Notes

Were students engaged and respectful during storytelling and discussion?
Did students connect with the cultural significance of Hawaiki?
How effectively did the creative activity support learning?
Adjust pacing or support needs for students less familiar with Māori concepts for future lessons.

This plan aims to provide a culturally responsive, age-appropriate introduction to the foundational Māori concept of Hawaiki, linking it clearly to the New Zealand Curriculum and encouraging inquiry, creativity, and respectful engagement.

Teaching Instructions