Kotahitanga: Unity Through Māori Principles
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Kotahitanga: Unity Through Māori Principles
Understanding Māori concepts of unity and togetherness Exploring Kawa and Tikanga foundations Year 11 Social Sciences
What is Kotahitanga?
Unity, togetherness, and solidarity A fundamental Māori value that brings people together Based on shared understanding and collective responsibility Essential for community strength and wellbeing
Foundation of Understanding
"Before I go on with the Concept of Kotahitanga I need to ensure the foundations that I have used. This stems from KAWA and TIKANGA." - Wiremu Panapa
Understanding Kawa - The 'What'
Protocols that Māori live their everyday lives by Set of behaviors and lores for living and interacting Provides understanding of how to behave and customs Kawa NEVER changes - it is eternal and unchanging
Example of Kawa: Energy for Life
"Ko te Kawa o te Tangata, ko te Orangatanga" The acquisition and sustenance of energy to live Through consumption of foods for energy Through absorption of nature - sunlight, wind, water Vital for living itself
Understanding Tikanga - The 'How'
The way we facilitate and practice Kawa Allows necessary changes in how we do things Tikanga is the 'HOW' we go about it Adapts to circumstances while maintaining core principles
Traditional vs Modern Tikanga Example
{"left":"Traditional: Whare-makea (makeshift houses) for tangihanga\nDeceased would lie in temporary structures\nAfter tangihanga, whare-makea was burnt down\nDestroyed any remaining tapu","right":"Modern: Deceased may lie in wharenui, halls, churches, or houses\nTikanga allows this adaptation\nSame respect for tapu and noa principles\nCore spiritual concepts remain unchanged"}
Connecting Kawa and Tikanga to Kotahitanga
Think-Pair-Share Activity: Consider how Kawa and Tikanga work together How do unchanging principles create unity? How does flexible practice strengthen community? Share examples from your own cultural experiences
Kotahitanga in Practice
Unity through shared understanding of Kawa Flexibility through respectful Tikanga Collective responsibility for community wellbeing Strength through diversity within common principles Modern applications in schools, workplaces, and communities
Reflection and Application
How can the principles of Kotahitanga apply to our school community? What are our 'Kawa' - our unchanging foundational values? What 'Tikanga' - flexible practices - help us work together? How can understanding these concepts improve our relationships?