Comprehension Skills Worksheet

Unit Standard 26624 – Read Texts with Understanding

Name:

Date:

📖 Read the Following Text

Read the passage carefully before answering the questions below.

Kaitiakitanga – Guardianship of the Environment

Kaitiakitanga is a Māori concept that means guardianship and protection of the natural environment. It comes from the word kaitiaki, meaning guardian or trustee. In New Zealand, kaitiakitanga plays an important role in how communities care for land, rivers, and oceans.

Many iwi (tribes) have practised kaitiakitanga for generations. For example, some communities place a rāhui — a temporary ban — on fishing in certain areas to allow fish populations to recover. This traditional practice is now recognised in New Zealand law under the Resource Management Act 1991.

Today, kaitiakitanga is not just a Māori responsibility. It is seen as a shared duty for all New Zealanders. Schools, local councils, and community groups are working together to protect native birds, clean up waterways, and reduce pollution. Looking after our environment ensures that future generations can enjoy the same natural resources we have today.

🔍 Part 1: Understanding the Text

Answer the following questions based on the passage above.

1. What does the word kaitiakitanga mean?

2. What is a rāhui and why is it used?

3. Which New Zealand law recognises kaitiakitanga?

4. According to the text, who is responsible for kaitiakitanga today?

Only Māori iwi

Only the government

All New Zealanders

Only local councils

5. Select all the activities mentioned in the text as examples of caring for the environment:

Protecting native birds

Building new roads

Cleaning up waterways

Reducing pollution

Planting crops for export

💡 Part 2: Making Inferences & Deeper Thinking

Use what you have read AND your own thinking to answer these questions.

6. Why do you think it is important to allow fish populations to recover before fishing again? Use evidence from the text in your answer.

7. The text says kaitiakitanga ensures "future generations can enjoy the same natural resources we have today." What does this suggest about why we should protect the environment?

8. In your own words, write a main idea statement for this passage in one or two sentences.