📖 Reading: Plants of Aotearoa

Aotearoa New Zealand is home to many special plants. For hundreds of years, Māori have known these plants by their Māori names. These names tell us important things about how the plants look, where they grow, and how people use them. Learning Māori plant names helps us understand the special relationship between Māori and the land. When we know both English and Māori names for plants, we learn more about our country's history and culture.

Plant Names to Learn:

Harakeke (ha-ra-KEH-keh) - flax plant used for weaving

Rātā (RAH-tah) - tall forest tree with red flowers

Mānuka (MAH-noo-kah) - small tree, bees make special honey from it

Pōhutukawa (poh-hoo-too-KAH-wah) - coastal tree with red flowers at Christmas

Kūmarahou (koo-mah-rah-HOH) - plant with white fluffy flowers

Kawakawa (kah-wah-KAH-wah) - plant with heart-shaped leaves, used as medicine

✏️ Questions

Answer: _____________________

📝 Word Bank

Use these words to help you: harakeke, rātā, mānuka, pōhutukawa, kūmarahou, kawakawa