Waka Tikanga Deep Dive

Year 10 | Duration: 60 minutes | Class Size: 25 students

Lesson 13: Exploring Tikanga

Lesson Description

Delve deeper into the tikanga surrounding waka and paddling. Students will explore the protocols and practices that honour ancestors and connect to Māori heritage. This lesson will foster a sense of respect, identity, and cultural understanding within the context of waka traditions.

WALT (We Are Learning To)

Understand and explain the tikanga (customs and protocols) related to waka and paddling.
Appreciate the cultural significance of waka ceremonies in honouring tūpuna (ancestors).
Demonstrate respect through practising identified tikanga in class activities.

Success Criteria

I can identify key tikanga associated with waka and paddling.
I can explain why these customs are important to Māori heritage and identity.
I can demonstrate respect by applying tikanga concepts in role-play or discussion.
I can reflect on how tikanga helps maintain connection with ancestors.

Curriculum Alignment: New Zealand Curriculum Refresh — Social Sciences and The Arts

Learning Area: Social Sciences (Aotearoa New Zealand Histories strand)

Achievement Objective: Understand how Māori culture and heritage influence Aotearoa New Zealand’s identity.
Level: Level 5 (Year 10) – Students understand different viewpoints, and tikanga within historical and contemporary Māori contexts.
Key Competencies:
- Relating to others (show cultural respect and empathy).
- Participating and contributing (engage in community practices).
Values:
- Respect (manaakitanga) and Cultural diversity – recognising the value of tikanga and Māori worldviews.

Essential Learning Outcomes

Students develop critical understanding of tikanga meaning and its living significance in waka traditions.
Students appreciate how tikanga contributes to identity and heritage preservation.

Lesson Structure

Time	Activity	Description	Differentiation / Inclusion
0-5 mins	Introduction & WALT	Brief class karakia (opening prayer) to set the tone and acknowledge ancestors. Introduce the lesson WALT and success criteria.	Dyslexia-friendly: Provide printed WALT and success criteria in clear font, with keywords highlighted.
5-15 mins	Video & Discussion	Show a short curated video (5-7 mins) on waka tikanga and ceremonies (e.g., pōwhiri before waka events). Follow with guided class discussion—What tikanga did you notice? Why are they important?	Use open-ended questions; encourage verbal and visual learners. Students with reading challenges can verbally share ideas or use mind-maps.
15-30 mins	Tikanga Exploration Stations	Set up 4 stations each focusing on a key tikanga aspect:

Waka Blessing (Karanga and Karakia)
Paddling Protocols (e.g., paddle handling, chanting)
Whakapapa Connection (ancestral stories linked to waka)
Respect and Unity (manaakitanga in waka crews)
Students rotate in groups to explore with teacher or kaiako prompts, using artefacts, images, and short Māori text excerpts. | Allow students choice of stations, supporting agency. Use images + explained text for dyslexic-friendly access. Group students heterogeneously for peer support. | | 30-45 mins | Role-Play Practical Application | In groups, students prepare and present a short role-play showing a waka preparation protocol or ceremony based on what they learned. Encourage use of waiata (songs) or karakia if confident. | For students needing support, provide scripts or sentence starters. Extend advanced learners by inviting them to lead or create additional scenarios. | | 45-55 mins | Reflection & Discussion | Whole class reflection: How does tikanga connect us to ancestors? How can respecting tikanga influence how we act in other areas of life? Students complete a short reflective journal prompt/capture in digital form. | Provide sentence frames for writing support. Prompt oral reflections for those who prefer speaking. | | 55-60 mins | Closing Karakia & Homework Brief | Close with a karakia and explain homework option: research a local waka-related tikanga or story and prepare to share in next lesson. | Offer alternative homework: create a drawing or digital poster of a waka tikanga element. |

Differentiation Strategies

Visual supports: Diagrams, images, video, digital text with clear fonts and spacing.
Oral learning opportunities via discussion, role-play, karakia and waiata.
Group collaboration for peer learning and social support.
Written tasks segmented with scaffolds such as sentence starters and vocabulary lists.
Extension for advanced learners: research deeper tikanga significance or prepare a presentation on a whakapapa story.

Assessment & Feedback

Formative assessment through class discussion input and role-play presentations to check understanding of tikanga.
Teacher observations to note respect, engagement, and application of tikanga concepts.
Reflective journals provide insight into student personal connection and comprehension.

Resources Needed

Projector and audio for video playback.
Prepared stations with images, artefacts or props (e.g., paddle replicas, Māori text cards).
Printed or digital copies of WALT and success criteria.
Writing materials or devices for reflection.

Links to New Zealand Curriculum Principles and Values

This lesson embodies the principles of Cultural Diversity and Inclusion by centring Māori heritage and language through tikanga. It supports the development of the Key Competencies—particularly Relating to Others and Participating and Contributing—by engaging students in respectful cultural practice and reflection. It links directly to the curriculum’s vision and commitment to honoring Te Tiriti o Waitangi by embedding Māori worldview and protocols authentically and respectfully.

Teacher Reflection

Which tikanga did the students connect with most?
Were discussions and role-plays effective for all learners?
Next steps to deepen understanding in future lessons?

This plan aims to inspire teachers with a highly interactive, culturally grounded exploration of tikanga linked to waka, fully aligned to the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh and designed to meet diverse learner needs.

Teaching Instructions