Unit #1: Introduction to Whanaungatanga

Lesson Title

Lesson 1: Introduction to Whanaungatanga

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Learning Area and Level

Health & Physical Education | Level 5 of the New Zealand Curriculum

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Key Focus for the Unit

Unit Title: Teamwork Through Whanaungatanga
Key Concept: Building teamwork through understanding and practising whanaungatanga – the sense of connection, kinship, and meaningful relationships that bind individuals together.
Whakataukī for Inspiration: He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.
(What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.)

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Curriculum Alignment

Strand: Relationships with Other People
Achievement Objective:
Students will:

Identify and demonstrate ways of establishing and maintaining relationships that enhance physical activity and teamwork, considering the needs and feelings of others.

Key Competencies:

• Relating to others
• Participating and contributing
• Managing self
• Thinking

Values Promoted:

• Whanaungatanga (relationships)
• Manaakitanga (caring/respect)
• Rangatiratanga (leadership/responsibility)

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Lesson Duration

60 Minutes
Class Size: 20 Year 10 students

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Learning Intentions

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

• Understand the meaning of whanaungatanga in a culturally relevant and personal context.
• Explore what effective teamwork looks like through the lens of whanaungatanga.
• Reflect on their current understanding of relationships in team settings.

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Success Criteria

Students can:

• Define whanaungatanga and give examples of how it can be demonstrated in a team setting.
• Participate actively in discussions and group activities.
• Demonstrate mahi ngātahi (collaborative effort) during a practical activity.
• Reflect honestly on the importance of relationships within teamwork.

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Teaching & Learning Sequence

1. Karakia + Whakawhanaungatanga Circle (10 mins)

Location: Gym or field circle
Purposefully begin with a short karakia to ground the session. Then move into a whakawhanaungatanga circle where each student shares one thing about themselves (e.g. their favourite sport or weekend highlight).
Teacher Prompt:
“Whanaungatanga reminds us that no one stands alone. Let’s begin by making sure we all know a little bit about each other today.”

Why? Introduces a culturally sustaining pedagogy and sets a tone of inclusion and mutual respect from the outset.

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2. Group Brainstorm: What is Whanaungatanga? (10 mins)

Location: In classroom or indoor space with whiteboard
Students are divided into four groups of five and each group is given a large sheet of paper or whiteboard marker.
Prompt Questions:

• What do we think whanaungatanga means?
• Why are relationships important in a team?
• How might whanaungatanga show up in sports or PE?

Each group shares their key ideas with the class. Teacher records keywords on the main board: e.g. connection, support, communication, trust, respect, etc.

Teacher Note: Encourage students to use both English and Te Reo Māori terms if they feel confident or curious.

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3. Activity: Ngā Wāhanga Wiriwiri — The Connection Web (15 mins)

Location: Gym
Materials Needed: One large ball of string or wool
Instructions:

• Students stand in a large circle.
• One student holds the ball of string, says one positive quality they value in a teammate (e.g. honesty, humour, leadership), then throws the ball (while holding onto the string end) to another student.
• Repeat until all students are connected in the string web.
• Once complete, discuss what happened.

Discussion Prompts:

• What does this web represent?
• What would happen if one of us let go or stepped out?
• How do these connections help us work better as a team?

Why? Symbolises interdependence and introduces visual metaphors that make abstract concepts tangible — ideal for Year 10 minds.

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4. Mini Team Challenge: Silent Line-Up (10 mins)

Location: Gym or outdoor court
Instructions:

• Without talking, students must line up in order of birth date (day/month) or height.
• After a debrief, repeat with a twist: form groups by birth season, eye colour, or similar.

Debrief Questions:

• What communication strategies did you use without speaking?
• How did working together feel?
• How was whanaungatanga shown even when we couldn’t kōrero?

Why? Encourages non-verbal collaboration and awareness of others. Demonstrates that connection goes beyond talk.

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5. Reflection: Individual Whānau Map (10 mins)

Location: Back in classroom or seated area
Each student is given a “Whānau Map” worksheet. It includes prompts like:

• Who are three people that support me?
• Name a moment when being part of a team made you feel good.
• What do I bring to a team?

Optional Extension: Invite students to decorate their map using symbols or colours. Collect for their personal reflection folders/pukapuka ako.

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Equipment & Resources Needed

• Large string or wool ball
• Whiteboard + markers
• Butcher paper or group brainstorm sheets
• Whānau Map worksheets (prepared beforehand)

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Assessment Opportunities

• Formative assessment: Observation during group brainstorm, teamwork activities, and reflection maps
• Informal feedback: Teacher listens for key terms and student understanding in discussion
• In-class reflection: Used to capture initial understandings as a baseline for the unit progression

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Next Steps / Homework

• Students are asked to bring a photo, drawing, or small object that represents an important relationship in their life to share in Lesson 2.
• Encourage whānau conversation at home about what teamwork and connection look like in their family or culture.

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Teacher Notes & Tips

• Build class culture with intention. Whanaungatanga thrives when respect is mutual and safe learning environments are prioritised.
• If possible, blend reo Māori terms naturally. Use visuals or actions to support meanings.
• Groupings should be mixed in each lesson to build cross-class whanaungatanga.
• Look for students who may need tautoko in sharing or participating — build confidence gently.
• Keep the session light-hearted but meaningful — Year 10 students benefit from movement, humour, and relevance but can still explore deep kaupapa.

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Mātauranga Māori Integration

This lesson centres mātauranga Māori by embedding whanaungatanga as both a value and a practice. Through connection rituals, joint reflection, and team actions, students experience the significance of relationships in supportive and culturally grounded ways.

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Kua timata te ara — The journey has begun.