🌿 Part 1: Māori Concepts and Harakeke

1. What does "aroha" mean in relation to te taiao?

Love, compassion, and respect for the environment

Taking whatever you need from nature

Using plants for decoration only

Avoiding nature completely

2. Which of these show aroha towards harakeke? (Check all that apply)

Harvesting respectfully without damaging the rito (heart)

Taking only what you need

Pulling up the entire plant

Protecting young plants from harm

3. What is kaitiakitanga?

Guardianship and stewardship of the environment

A type of harakeke plant

A traditional Māori song

The scientific name for flax

4. Complete this whakataukī (proverb): "Unuhia te rito o te harakeke, kei whea te kōmako e kō?" This teaches us about:

Not destroying the heart of the harakeke plant

How to weave with flax

Where birds like to nest

The best time to harvest harakeke

✍️ Part 2: Understanding and Reflection

5. Match the Māori terms with their meanings by writing the correct letter:

Aroha ____

Whakapapa ____

Te Taiao ____

Harakeke ____

A. New Zealand flax plant

B. The natural world/environment

C. Love, compassion, respect

D. Genealogy, connection to ancestors and land

6. Explain why it's important to protect the rito (heart) of the harakeke plant:

7. Describe two ways you could show aroha towards harakeke in your everyday life:

8. Draw a harakeke plant below and label the rito (heart/centre shoot). Show how you would care for it:

9. Write a short paragraph about how kaitiakitanga connects to caring for harakeke and te taiao: