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Te Whare Tapa Whā Writing

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Te Whare Tapa Whā Writing

Plan a clear, respectful information piece for a Year 5–6 audience about how Te Whare Tapa Whā helps us understand hauora. Use the brief below, then complete the writing tasks. You may use the kupu Māori provided and add your own ideas.

Te Whare Tapa Whā is a model of hauora developed by Māori health leader Sir Mason Durie. It compares wellbeing to a whare supported by four walls. Taha tinana is physical wellbeing: caring for the body through rest, movement and nourishing kai. Taha hinengaro is mental and emotional wellbeing: noticing feelings, thinking and asking for help when needed. Taha whānau is social wellbeing: relationships and connections with whānau and other people. Taha wairua is spiritual wellbeing: a sense of identity, values, beliefs or connection to the natural world. The whenua (land) forms the foundation. The four walls support one another, so a change in one area can affect the others. People and whānau may understand and practise wellbeing in different ways. Write about the model with care and avoid assuming that everyone has the same beliefs or experiences.

Understand the model

Use the writer’s brief to answer. Give complete answers where asked.

1.Match each wall to its meaning: taha tinana, taha hinengaro, taha whānau and taha wairua. Write the correct wall beside each description: physical wellbeing; mental and emotional wellbeing; social connections; spiritual wellbeing.

Physical wellbeing
Mental and emotional wellbeing
Social connections
Spiritual wellbeing

Taha wairua
Taha tinana
Taha hinengaro
Taha whānau

2.According to the brief, what does the whenua represent in the whare comparison?

The foundation of wellbeing
A fifth wall
A place to store kai

3.A person has been sleeping poorly and feels less able to concentrate. Which two walls might be connected in this example? Explain the connection in one sentence.

4.Which sentence has the most suitable tone for an informative school article?

Te Whare Tapa Whā describes wellbeing through four connected walls and a foundation.
This whare thing is pretty cool, and everyone should do it.
Obviously, one wall matters more than all the others.

Plan and shape your writing

Build an informative piece that explains the model clearly and respectfully.

5.Write a topic sentence for a paragraph explaining why the four walls of Te Whare Tapa Whā are connected.

6.Choose one wall. Write two useful supporting details for a paragraph about it, using ideas from the brief.

7.Rewrite this sentence in a more respectful, informative tone: “Everyone believes the same things, so taha wairua is identical for all people.”

8.Plan a three-paragraph information piece. Note what your introduction will explain, which wall or connection each body paragraph will focus on, and how your conclusion will bring the ideas together.

9.Draft a short introduction (2–3 sentences) for your information piece. Include the name of the model and explain what your writing will cover.