Waka and Waitangi

Overview

In this 60-minute lesson for Year 10 students, learners will explore the role of waka in Waitangi Day celebrations, focusing on their historical significance and how they express Māori identity. This lesson is Lesson 5 in the unit "Waka Hoe: Heritage & Haka," designed specifically to align with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh framework.

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Learning Intentions (WALT)

• We are learning to investigate the significance of waka in Waitangi celebrations.
• We are learning to understand how waka represent Māori cultural identity and history.
• We are learning to connect these insights to broader themes of Aotearoa New Zealand histories and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

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Success Criteria

Students will demonstrate their learning by:

• Explaining key historical and cultural roles of waka during Waitangi celebrations.
• Identifying elements of Māori identity expressed through waka and associated rituals.
• Participating meaningfully in group discussions and reflective activities.
• Showing evidence of comprehension through a short creative or written response connecting waka to cultural heritage.

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Curriculum Connections

Learning Area: Social Sciences – Aotearoa New Zealand Histories

• Achievement Objectives:
  • Understand how Māori and Pākehā communities have interacted and how this shapes identity and society (Years 9-10).
  • Explore perspectives and narratives related to Waitangi and New Zealand history with empathy and critical awareness.

Key Competencies (NZ Curriculum, pp. 12–13)

• Relating to others: engaging respectfully with diverse perspectives including Māori worldviews.
• Participating and contributing: working collaboratively in tasks and discussions.
• Thinking: critically analysing historical sources and cultural symbols.
• Using language, symbols, and texts: expressing understanding through oral, written, or creative media.
• Managing self: setting personal learning goals and reflecting on progress.

Principles

• Treaty of Waitangi Principle: Embedding knowledge of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga and recognising bicultural foundations.
• High Expectations: Empowering all students to achieve personal excellence through culturally responsive teaching.

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Resources

• Images and video clips of waka in Waitangi Day celebrations
• Written extracts or stories about waka history and symbolism
• Visual aids showing components and designs of waka
• Student worksheets with dyslexia-friendly fonts and layout
• Art supplies for creative expression activity
• Tentative access to digital tools (tablets/computers) for collaborative research (optional)

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Lesson Outline (60 minutes)

Time	Activity	Description & Purpose	Differentiation
0-10 min	Introduction & Activation	Brief kōrero introducing Waitangi Day and waka's role. Show video clip/images of waka in ceremonies. Facilitate class questions to activate prior knowledge.	Use clear oral explanations, repeat key terms; provide visuals and captions on video
10-25 min	Collaborative Exploration	In groups of 4–5, students explore a short story or info sheet on waka’s historical and cultural significance. Each group discusses key points and prepares 2-3 insights to share.	Provide printed materials with dyslexia-friendly fonts, include audio reading option; support verbally as needed
25-35 min	Group Sharing and Discussion	Groups present their insights. Class discusses the role of waka in Māori identity and Waitangi celebrations. Teacher guides with focused questions linking to NZ history themes and Treaty principles.	Encourage all students to participate; prompt shy or reluctant speakers gently; use sentence starters
35-45 min	Creative Reflection Activity	Students create a visual or written piece reflecting on what waka mean to Māori identity and heritage. Options include drawing, poetry, or a short paragraph.	Allow choice of output encouraging diverse learner strengths; scaffold writing with sentence starters or word banks
45-55 min	Gallery Walk / Sharing	Students display or share their reflections in small groups or as a class. Positive peer feedback encouraged focusing on effort and understanding.	Use checklist prompts for peer feedback. Provide extra time or support for students needing it.
55-60 min	Recap and Plenary	Review WALT and Success Criteria. Teacher summarises key learning. Students self-assess using thumbs up/down or simple exit ticket: "One thing I learned about waka and Waitangi."	Use oral and written options for exit ticket to support diverse learners.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative assessment through group discussion participation and completion of creative reflection.
• Teacher notes observations during sharing discussions to gauge understanding.
• Use student self-assessment at plenary to inform future teaching focus.

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Extension Activities (For Advanced Learners)

• Research and present on different types of waka (e.g., waka taua, waka tīwai) and their specific uses historically and today.
• Analyse waka carving designs for symbolic meanings and relate these to iwi histories or whakapapa.
• Compose a detailed written report or digital presentation about the ongoing significance of waka in Māori culture and national identity.

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Differentiation Strategies (Inclusive Teaching)

• Use dyslexia-friendly printed texts (clear font, ample spacing, and supporting audio versions).
• Offer students options for expressing their learning (oral, written, visual).
• Provide graphic organisers to support note-taking and idea organisation.
• Use flexible grouping so students can collaborate with peers of varied strengths.
• Provide sentence starters or vocabulary lists to support language development and writing.

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Dyslexia-Friendly Reading Support

• Use texts with simple sentence structures and vocabulary appropriate for Year 10.
• Texts printed in sans-serif fonts, at least 14pt.
• Use bullet points and headings to structure information clearly.
• Provide key vocabulary lists with definitions and pronunciation support.
• Where possible, use read-aloud technology or teacher read-aloud support.

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This lesson plan integrates the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh focus on bicultural foundations, social sciences learning area, and key competencies development. It encourages active engagement, critical thinking, and culturally responsive pedagogy to deepen students' understanding of the pivotal role of waka in Waitangi Day and Māori identity underpinned by the Treaty of Waitangi principles .