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Mana Whenua Writing Guide

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Mana Whenua Writing Guide

Explore how mana whenua can shape identity, relationships and responsibility in Aotearoa New Zealand. Use the source text and writing activities below to develop a fluent, coherent piece. Write about the topic with care: iwi and hapū have distinct histories, tikanga and relationships with place. Do not assume that one example speaks for everyone.

Read: Mana whenua and place

Mana whenua is a term used in Aotearoa New Zealand for the authority and connection of tangata whenua in relation to a particular place. The term is closely connected to relationships among people, whenua and the natural world. For iwi and hapū, those relationships may be grounded in whakapapa, history, tikanga and ongoing responsibilities. The details are specific to each community and place; they should not be guessed or treated as interchangeable. Connection to whenua can contribute to identity and belonging. It can also shape relationships: people may have responsibilities to care for places, pass on knowledge and engage respectfully with others. In contemporary Aotearoa, mana whenua may be relevant to conversations about local history, environmental care, decision-making and how places are named and understood. Writing about this topic calls for precision and respect. A strong piece explains its key terms, develops a clear point of view, and supports ideas with specific, reliable examples. If you do not have evidence about a particular iwi or place, say what you can establish and avoid inventing details. Consider whose perspective is included, what responsibilities are discussed, and how the ideas connect to the present.

1.In your own words, explain what mana whenua refers to. Include the connection to a particular place and tangata whenua.

2.Which statement best reflects the source text?

Mana whenua has exactly the same history and tikanga in every place.
Mana whenua can involve place-based authority, connection and responsibilities, with details specific to each community.
Mana whenua is only about owning land as an individual.
Mana whenua is unrelated to identity or relationships.

3.The text links connection to whenua with identity and belonging. Explain one way that a relationship with place could contribute to a sense of identity, without claiming that every person has the same experience.

4.Choose one idea from the source text about responsibility. Quote or accurately paraphrase it, then explain how it supports the idea that mana whenua is about more than connection alone.

5.Rewrite this sentence so it is more precise and respectful: “All Māori believe the same things about every piece of land.”

6.Write a clear, arguable thesis for this question: “How can mana whenua shape identity, relationships and responsibility in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand?”

7.Plan a short essay in three stages. Note the purpose of your introduction, two different body-paragraph ideas, and your conclusion. Include where you would use reliable evidence, and identify any details you would need to verify rather than invent.

8.Join these ideas into one coherent sentence or two linked sentences using a suitable connective: “Connection to whenua can support belonging. Relationships with place can also involve responsibilities.”

9.Write a coherent response of about 250–350 words to the key question: “How can mana whenua shape identity, relationships and responsibility in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand?” Include an introduction with a clear thesis, developed paragraphs, a conclusion, and relevant evidence. Explain terms carefully, avoid generalising across iwi and hapū, and do not invent local details. Then review your draft for structure, fluency, precise language and respect.