In this week’s lesson about Aotearoa and Conservation you will be learning some Te Reo Māori: Aotearoa’s indigenous language, learning more about our country and diving into conservation topics such as pest identification and tracking.

Let’s delve into the realm of the Atua Tāne Mahuta and find out who’s living in
your yard. Let’s find out what they eat and what their tracks look like.

How climate change is affecting Canterbury is what this booklet is all about. We investigate what it will mean for you, your family and friends, and the natural environment.

New Zealand is an island nation surrounded by expansive oceans. It is fitting that we have a rich and diverse coastal fauna.

Climate is the average weather of a given area over a long period of time. This includes seasonal temperatures, rain, sunshine, and large weather events such as storms.

This article outlines the process of building a traditional wharenui, including a description of the materials and building techniques used and an explanation of the symbolism and spiritual significance of the wharenui. It also explains how and why processes and materials used to construct wharenui are changing.

How is the Pacific Ocean doing? Is it in good health? The crews of seven voyaging canoes have been finding out. What did they observe?

James Ataria works a bit differently from most other scientists. As a scientist, he thinks carefully about how evidence should be collected and critiqued. But, unlike many other scientists, he also uses Māori cultural knowledge to help his work.

This article describes how Ngāti Mutunga and students from Uruti, Mimi, and Urenui schools are working with scientists to find out which frogs are still living in their rohe (local area). It provides an opportunity for students to understand how scientific, local, and cultural knowledge can contribute to an investigation.

This article recounts an important story from the oral tradition of Tainui. It tells of how the iwi’s ancestor, Whakaotirangi, brought kūmara and other plants to Aotearoa and describes the techniques she used to plant, grow, and store them. Whakaotirangi’s gardens made it possible for Tainui to settle in one place, rather than having to keep moving to seek food. In time, Whakaotirangi’s kete of kūmara changed how people live across Aotearoa.

For tune – go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3WvxrStQ_0

Use this resource to experience native trees in your school grounds or another local green space.

Use this resource to learn about and develop connections to a local green space.

Looking out for the nine stars of the Matariki this Māori New Year? Check out this article for tips on how to find the star cluster in the early morning sky.

Investigate how we can harness the power of the wind. Design a sailboat model that can use wind power to move. How can the power of Tāwhirimātea, atua of the winds, help Emirates Team New Zealand’s boat go faster?

Take the fun outside with this pack of tiny adventures, designed to step the whānau outside to explore and perfect for younger tamariki.

Uiuitia me pēhea te kaha o te hau ka taea te whakaangi ngā waka o te Ipu o Amerika, te whakaawe ō ratou tere. Inea ngā tawhiti e pā ana te raranga o te Ipu o Amerika.

Uiuitia kia pēhea te whītiki te mauri me te kaha o Tāwhirimātea. Whakatauira mai he waka moana kua waihangatia e taea ana te hau pupuhi te mau i te ihi hei whakaangi.

Kia Pai Tō Haere is a flexible curriculum resource for Māori Medium Schools that provides guidance for teachers planning contextualised learning based on a kaupapa that keeping whānau safe on a journey is everyone’s work.

This flightless bird may look like the outside of the kiwifruit- fluffy and brown, however unlike the kiwi fruit, the kiwi bird has a long beak with nostrils right at the end, big strong legs with claws, tiny stumps for wings (vestigial wings) and makes a loud chirping or grunting call which can be heard up to 1.5km away!

We all love to play in and around water. Why not try having some water fun at home without the need to get into your togs! Let’s see if you can make a waka that can float!

Marika the Maui dolphin swam through the coastal waters of the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island, a once glistening and abundant seabed that was now gloomy and grey, in search of food for her dwindling family...

Matariki is a cluster (group) of stars that set during May/June, and rise during June/July annually. The rising of the Matariki star cluster signifies the Māori new year, a time to celebrate new lives, and those who have passed on, with kai (food), waiata (song), and haka (dance), a time for reflection, planning, and coming together as a whānau. Māori tūpuna (ancestors) look to Matariki to time preservation of crops for winter, and to predict the success of the coming year’s harvest.

Investigate how the energy of wind can drive the America’s Cup boats and affect their speed. Measure the distances involved in the America’s Cup course.