Mānuka and Kawakawa Exploration

Rongoā Māori — Healing Plants of Aotearoa

Name:

Date:

🌿 WALT (We Are Learning To):

Recognise kawakawa and mānuka as special healing plants in Māori culture, and understand how they help people feel better.

✅ Success Criteria — I can:

⭐ Name the two special plants
⭐ Say one way each plant helps people
⭐ Describe how a plant looks, smells, or feels

🌺 Part 1: Match the Plant

Draw a line to match each plant to what it looks like. Ask your teacher or kaiako to help read if needed.

Kawakawa

Mānuka

Small white or pink flowers, thin pointy leaves, grows in dry places

Big heart-shaped leaves with holes, grows in shady spots near water

🌸 Part 2: What Do You Know?

1. Which plant has heart-shaped leaves with holes in them?

Mānuka

Kawakawa

Pōhutukawa

2. Which plant makes honey that can help heal cuts and sore throats?

Kawakawa

Mānuka

Harakeke

3. Tick all the ways kawakawa and mānuka are used in Rongoā Māori (traditional Māori healing):

To help sore muscles and skin

To make buildings

To make healing teas and drinks

To show respect at special ceremonies

To drive cars

4. Fill in the blanks. Use the words in the box to help you.

Word box: heal, leaves, mānuka, kawakawa, special

In Māori culture, plants are _________________ and important. The _________________ plant has big leaves with holes. The _________________ plant has small flowers. Both plants help people _________________ and feel better. Māori healers use the _________________ and flowers of these plants.

✏️ Part 2: My Thoughts and Senses

5. Use your senses! If you have touched or smelled kawakawa or mānuka today, describe what it was like. Use the sentence starters to help you.

Kawakawa smells like...

Mānuka feels like...

6. Why do you think it is important to learn about Rongoā Māori (Māori healing plants)? Write or draw your answer below.

7. 🌿 Draw your favourite plant from today's lesson — kawakawa or mānuka. Add labels if you can!

🌟 Extension Activity (Challenge Yourself!)

8. Can you write a short karakia (prayer) or a few sentences thanking the plants for their healing? Use Māori words if you know some!

💡 Dyslexia-Friendly Tips for This Worksheet

🔤 Ask your teacher to read questions aloud to you.
🖊️ You can draw your answers instead of writing.
🌈 Use colour to highlight words that help you.
🤝 Work with a buddy if that helps you think!