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Introduction to Kōrero Tuku Iho

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Introduction to Kōrero Tuku Iho

Read the original story and the short notes. Then answer the questions using evidence from the page. Kōrero tuku iho are stories, knowledge and traditions passed down through generations. This story is a new classroom story, not a traditional pūrākau.

The awa remembers

On a clear afternoon, Aunty Mere and her mokopuna, Maia and Rangi, walked beside the awa. Aunty Mere pointed to a bend in the river. “When I was young, our whānau gathered here to share kai and stories,” she said. “My koro taught me the name of this place and how our family cared for the river.” Maia asked, “Will you teach us the story too?” Aunty Mere nodded. She told them how their ancestors noticed that the river’s health was connected to the health of the people. The family made a promise to take only what they needed and to leave the river clean for those who came after them. Rangi listened, then said, “So the story is not only about the past. It tells us what we can do now.” “That’s right,” said Aunty Mere. “When you share a story carefully, you carry its lessons forward. Some stories belong to particular whānau or hapū, so we ask who may share them and how they should be told.” The three picked up a few pieces of litter on their way home. Maia promised to tell her cousins what she had learned—and to ask Aunty Mere before sharing the family story beyond their whānau.

Useful kupu

kōrero tuku iho — stories, knowledge or traditions handed down; awa — river; whānau — family; hapū — kinship group; koro — grandfather; mokopuna — grandchild or descendant; taonga — treasured thing or heritage; manaaki — to care for, support or show hospitality.

1.In the story, what does Aunty Mere pass on to Maia and Rangi? Choose the best answer.

A recipe for a special meal
Knowledge about their place, family history and caring for the awa
A map to a hidden treasure
A rule that stories must never be shared

2.Which detail best shows that this story connects people to whenua and place?

3.What lesson about the river did the ancestors pass down?

4.Rangi says the story is not only about the past. What does he mean?

5.Match each kupu from the passage to its meaning.

awa
whānau
taonga
manaaki

family
care for, support or show hospitality
river
treasured thing or heritage

6.True or false: The story says every story can be shared with anyone, without asking.

TrueFalse

7.Complete the idea using the story: Kōrero tuku iho can carry knowledge from to .

8.Put these events in the order they happen in the story: the three pick up litter; Aunty Mere points out the river bend; Rangi explains what the story means for now.

9.Why does Maia promise to ask Aunty Mere before sharing the family story beyond their whānau? Give one reason based on the passage.

10.Write a short response (2–3 sentences): What action in the story shows the characters carrying its lesson forward? Explain how it connects to the story’s message.

11.This is an original classroom story, not a traditional pūrākau. Name two features that make it a story about kōrero tuku iho.