Unit #4: Painting Atua

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Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area: The Arts — Visual Arts
Curriculum Level: Level 4, New Zealand Curriculum
Key Achievement Objectives:

• Understanding the visual arts in context: Students investigate the purposes of art works in past and present contexts, and explore Māori worldviews through toi Māori.
• Developing practical knowledge: Students apply knowledge of selected materials and processes to produce paintings that reflect their understanding of visual conventions.
• Developing ideas: Students generate, develop and refine visual ideas in response to subject matter, including personal, cultural and community interests.
• Communicating and interpreting: Students describe the ideas communicated through their own and others’ painting, identifying influences and their connections with kaupapa Māori.

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Lesson Overview

Lesson Title: Painting the Māori God
Length: 60 minutes
Class size: 25 Year 8 students
Unit Theme: Māori Gods in Art
Lesson 4 of 4

Today’s focus is the culmination of a 4-lesson unit where students explore the narratives, symbolism, and attributes of Māori atua (gods) and represent them visually. In this final session, students will execute their large-format paintings based on their sketches and previous planning. They will also reflect through short written artist statements to connect process with meaning.

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Learning Intentions

Students will:

• Execute their planned depiction of a Māori god using painting techniques.
• Apply visual art elements (line, colour, tone, texture, shape) purposefully.
• Show how their painting embodies the characteristics or narrative of their selected god.
• Reflect on their process and describe the cultural significance of their work.

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Success Criteria

Students can:

• Use colour, line and form to convey symbolic meaning from Māori culture.
• Demonstrate careful execution of ideas with attention to detail.
• Articulate the creative and cultural decisions made in their artwork.
• Respect the cultural origins of the gods portrayed, using appropriate forms and symbolism.

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Te Ao Māori Integration

• Atua (Māori gods) are explored through their associated qualities and natural elements (e.g., Tāwhirimātea – winds and storms, Papatūānuku – earth mother).
• The whakataukī “Ka mua, ka muri” ("walking backwards into the future") grounds students' reflection, recognising how they honour tradition while expressing it in contemporary ways.
• Students are encouraged to view their work through the lens of whakapapa — the interconnectedness between themselves, their art, and the wider world.

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Materials and Equipment

• A3 / A2 cartridge paper or canvas boards
• Acrylic paint sets and brushes
• Mixing palettes
• Water containers / cloths
• Student sketchbooks / planning sheets from previous lessons
• Printed visual references of Māori patterns and atua symbolism
• Chromebooks or tablets for typing reflections (optional)

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Lesson Structure

1. Karakia and Whanaungatanga Check-In (5 mins)

Begin with a short karakia to enter the creative space with respect and mindfulness.
Follow with a brief whakawhanaungatanga circle: “Share one word that describes your chosen god.”

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2. Brief Review of Last Lesson & Goal Setting (5 mins)

Recap key painting techniques discussed previously:

• Blending
• Layering
• Symbolic colour use
  Emphasise the goal: Your painting should communicate the essence of your god without needing words.

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3. Painting Time (35 mins)

Students begin painting using their drafted designs from lesson 3.
Teacher Role:

• Circulate, provide feedback on technique and symbolic effectiveness.
• Remind students to pause and reflect on whether their painting is aligned with their storyboard or original plan.
• Encourage use of colours that reflect the god’s characteristics (e.g., Tāne Mahuta – earthy greens and browns; Ruaumoko – reds, cracks, heat overtones).

To scaffold this for diverse learners:

• Provide visual prompts and pattern guides.
• Use bilingual labels for materials and visual elements (e.g., whakairo – carving, kōwhaiwhai – scroll patterns).

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4. Reflective Writing (10 mins)

Once work is near completion (or if drying), students write a short “artist statement” (approx. 3–5 sentences):
Guiding questions:

• Who is your atua and what is their domain?
• What elements in your painting reflect their story or attributes?
• What cultural symbols have you used, and why?

Optional: Students can record an audio version if writing is a barrier. Bilingual submissions (English and Te Reo Māori) are encouraged.

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5. Clean-up and Group Sharing (5 mins)

Students pack up supplies and place artwork on drying racks or designated display table.
Invite 2–3 students to present their piece to the class and share a sentence from their reflection.

Offer a closing whakaaro: “Artwork is a taonga — treat every piece as a gift to your ancestors and to those who come after you.”

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Differentiation Strategies

• Allow flexible media choices for neurodiverse learners (adapt painting to digital design or collage).
• Visual step-by-step exemplars at the front of class, including sentence starters for reflections.
• Peer support pairings for students who benefit from collaborative processing.

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Assessment Opportunities

Formative:

• Observing application of technique
• One-on-one check-ins for symbolic choices and planning execution

Summative:

• Final artwork: assessed for visual storytelling, technique, and connection to the Māori god
• Written reflection: evidence of understanding of visual symbolism and cultural significance

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Extensions / Early Finishers

• Create a title card for their painting, incorporating Te Reo Māori.
• Sketch a secondary design of another atua or show the god in a modern setting (e.g., Ruaumoko at a volcano warning centre).
• Research and share a whakataukī that aligns with their god to display with their work.

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Teacher Reflection Prompts (Post-Lesson)

• Did students demonstrate cultural understanding alongside technical skill?
• Were the learning intentions met through both art and written articulation?
• Who thrived in this expressive format and who might need alternative media next time?

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Looking Ahead

Students’ works can be curated into a classroom or school exhibition titled "Ngā Atua: He Tāwharau o te Wairua" ("The Gods: Shelter of the Spirit") – celebrating our students' connection to Aotearoa's stories through visual art.

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Ngā mihi nui ki ngā kaitoi!
(Heartfelt thanks to the artists!)