Welcome to the Marae

Curriculum Information

Learning Area: Social Sciences
Strand: Identity, Culture and Organisation
Level: Level 1 (New Zealand Curriculum)
Year Group: Year 2
Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
School: Mahora School
Focus Marae: Ruahāpia and Waipatu Marae (Ngāti Kahungunu region)

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🌟 WALT (We Are Learning To):

• Name and identify the key parts of a marae and understand their purpose
• Understand key roles during a pōhiri process at the marae
• Recognise the tikanga (customs) and kawa (protocols) of Ngāti Kahungunu
• Use basic te reo Māori words and phrases related to the marae

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🏆 Success Criteria

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

• Correctly name at least 3 parts of a marae and describe their function
• Role-play key parts of a pōhiri confidently using appropriate te reo Māori phrases
• Share one tikanga or kawa that is followed at Ruahāpia or Waipatu Marae
• Demonstrate respectful behaviour when learning about and simulating a marae visit

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⏱ Session Breakdown (60 mins)

Time	Activity
0–10 mins	Mihi Whakatau & Karakia Timatanga
10–20 mins	Interactive Big Book Reading: "Tōku Marae"
20–35 mins	Station Rotations (Parts of the Marae)
35–50 mins	Pōhiri Role-Play Activity
50–55 mins	Quick Fire “Kupu Māori Match” Game
55–60 mins	Reflection & Karakia Whakamutunga

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📖 1. Mihi Whakatau & Karakia Timatanga (10 mins)

Activity:

Begin the session with a brief mihi whakatau (short welcome) tailored for the classroom. Involve the students using simple te reo Māori:

• “Tēnā koutou tamariki mā!”
• “Haere mai ki te akomanga mō te marae.”

Karakia Timatanga (Opening Blessing):
Use the school’s chosen karakia or one relevant to Ngāti Kahungunu if known.

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📚 2. Interactive Story: “Tōku Marae” (10 mins)

Activity:

Use a large picture book (or make a simple teacher-created version) about visiting the marae for the first time.

Focus points:

• Wharenui – meeting house
• Wharekai – eating house
• Atea – courtyard
• Waharoa – gateway

Ask questions like, “What do you notice about these parts?” or “Have you seen a marae before?”

✔️ Differentiation Tip:

• ELL and low-literacy learners can point and name parts using cut-out visuals or picture cards.
• Use rich imagery and props for sensory support.

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🔄 3. Station Rotations: Parts of the Marae (15 mins)

Setup:

Three mini learning stations around the room with teachers/aides guiding each:

Station	Focus	Activity
1	Wharenui	Pupils decorate a mini wharenui cut-out using kōwhaiwhai patterns
2	Wharekai	Role-play setting the table and saying “Haere mai ki te kai!”
3	Atea area & Waharoa	Use felt storyboard to build the front of a marae using labels and arrows

🧠 Te Reo Māori to use:

• "Kei hea te wharenui?"
• "Titiro ki te wharekai!"
• "He pai tēnei kōwhaiwhai!"

✔️ Differentiation:

• Use simplified instructions and provide one-on-one helpers where needed.
• Students with sensory needs can use textured materials (fluffy for wharenui roof, etc.)

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🎭 4. Pōhiri Role Play (15 mins)

Activity:

Teacher leads a simple pōhiri enactment using the real cultural protocols of Ngāti Kahungunu, especially from Ruahāpia or Waipatu Marae (adjust for local relevance).

Roles:

• Kaikaranga: Callers
• Manuhiri: Visitors
• Tangata Whenua: Hosts
• Kaikōrero: Speaker
• Kaiwhakatangi pūtātara: (Optional - shell trumpet)

🧾 Sequence:

1. Kaikaranga begins the call: “Haere mai rā e ngā manuhiri”
2. Manuhiri slowly walk through the wātea
3. Kaikōrero welcomes: “Tēnei te marae o Ruahāpia / Waipatu”
4. Everyone hongi (simulated), then proceed to wharekai

🎵 Background waiata: “Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi” (if known by pupils)

✔️ Extension:

• Advanced learners memorise basic karanga lines or recite a short kōrero/waiata
• Invite whānau members who have been to Waipatu/Ruahāpia to share real experiences

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⚡️ 5. Kupu Māori Match Game (5 mins)

Activity:

Students have a worksheet matching te reo Māori words to parts of the marae and their English purposes.

Example Matches:

• Wharenui ➝ Meeting House
• Marae Ātea ➝ Open Courtyard
• Kaikaranga ➝ Caller

🎲 Speed Rounds: Which team can match the most in two minutes?

✔️ Extension:

• Fast finishers illustrate each part and label in te reo Māori

✔️ Differentiation:

• Use symbols alongside words for emerging readers

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🧘🏽‍♂️ 6. Reflection & Karakia Whakamutunga (5 mins)

Students share with a buddy:

• “Something I learned about the marae today was…”
• “I liked being the…” (role) in the pōhiri

Finish with Karakia Whakamutunga: “He kākano ahau i ruia mai i Rangiātea…”

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📁 Printable Resources (for teachers)

1. Worksheet: “Label the Marae” (includes diagrams with bilingual labels)
2. Cut-out Role Badges: Kaikaranga, Manuhiri etc. for role-play
3. Marae Map Craft Template: Colour, label, cut-and-stick style
4. Te Reo Word List: For Marae Vocabulary Wall
5. Picture Cards: Visual references of Ruahāpia and Waipatu Marae

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💡 Extension Ideas (Across the Week)

• Visit a Marae in person (Waipatu or Ruahāpia) or invite a kaumātua to speak
• Create a class mural of a mihi whakatau or pōhiri
• Record a class waiata performance and share with whānau
• Tie into visual arts: Make tukutuku patterns or kōwhaiwhai to decorate your 'class marae'

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❤️ Culturally Responsive Integration

• Recognise Ngāti Kahungunu tikanga and kawa specifically (e.g., order of karanga, paepae usage, seating)
• Use authentic names and language from Ruahāpia and Waipatu Marae
• Allow space for whānau stories and cultural pride
• Reflect Mahora School's localised curriculum aspiration: Te Reo Māori me ōna Tikanga in every class

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This lesson plan supports culturally sustaining pedagogy and embraces the mana of ngā tamariki o Heretaunga (Hastings), nurturing their identity and stories within the classroom.