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Māori Storytelling Traditions

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Māori Storytelling Traditions

Read the original classroom story and information carefully. Then use evidence from the text to answer the questions. Māori words are given with brief explanations; meanings and practices can vary between iwi and hapū.

A story carried by the tide

This original classroom story is a contemporary invention, not a traditional pūrākau. It is set at a fictional surf lifesaving club in Aotearoa New Zealand. At the club, Isla found a small notebook beside the noticeboard. Its cover was salt-stained, and inside were short notes in two languages. Ngaio, a club member, recognised a few kupu Māori. One note read: “Ask whose story this is, and who has permission to share it.” That afternoon, kaumātua (respected elders) visited the club to talk about pūrākau, a term used for certain inherited Māori stories and accounts. They explained that stories may carry knowledge, values and connections to people and place. Whakapapa refers to relationships and lines of descent; it can connect people with ancestors, communities and the natural world. A pūrākau is not simply a tale for entertainment, and it is not always appropriate for everyone to retell every story. Talia asked how the club could share what they had learned. The visitors suggested listening first, checking the source and following the guidance of the people connected to a story. They also reminded the group that Māori communities are diverse: each iwi and hapū may hold their own knowledge and ways of telling. As the waves rolled in, Isla wrote a new note for the noticeboard: “Listen with care. Ask respectfully. Credit the people and place connected to a story.” The note did not tell a pūrākau. It recorded how the group had chosen to learn respectfully.

Look closely at the story

Use details from the passage, not assumptions, in your responses.

1.In the passage, what does the term pūrākau refer to? Choose the most accurate answer.

A short note about club activities
A Māori term for traditional narratives
A word meaning ocean
A rule for surf lifesaving

2.Which two ideas does the passage say pūrākau may carry? Select two.

Knowledge and values
Connections to people and place
Instructions for surfing only
A guarantee that every story can be retold

3.Match each kupu Māori to the meaning given in the passage.

pūrākau
whakapapa
kaumātua

respected elders
traditional narratives
relationships and lines of descent

4.True or false: The visitors say that every Māori story is appropriate for anyone to retell.

TrueFalse

5.What does the sentence “The note did not tell a pūrākau” help clarify about the story Isla writes?

6.Find one piece of dialogue or advice that shows how the club members should learn about a story respectfully. Explain what the advice asks them to do.

7.How does the surf lifesaving club setting contribute to this contemporary classroom story? Use one detail from the passage.

8.The passage says Māori communities are diverse. What warning does this give readers about making generalisations?

9.Put these events in the order they happen by writing 1–4 beside each: the visitors explain pūrākau; Isla finds the notebook; Isla writes a note; Talia asks how the club can share what they learned.

10.The author calls the story a “contemporary invention”. Why is that description important for readers?

11.Write a short message Isla could add beneath her notice. Include two respectful actions from the passage and explain why they matter.

12.Explain how the passage links storytelling with identity and relationships. Support your answer with one detail.