Whakataukī | Proverb

"Tū whitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitu"

Give fear the boot, embrace success.

Tikanga are the customary values and practices that guide Māori behavior and decision-making. Understanding tikanga helps us navigate cultural situations with respect and confidence. These scenarios help you think through real situations using tikanga principles - there's often no single "right" answer, but thoughtful consideration of values and context.

🤔 Tikanga Scenarios

Unit 1: Te Ao Māori | Cultural Decision Making

📋 Learning Objectives:

  • Apply tikanga principles to real-world situations
  • Understand key Māori values (manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, whanaungatanga)
  • Practice cultural decision-making
  • Develop cultural sensitivity and respect

📚 Key Tikanga Concepts

Manaakitanga:

Hospitality, kindness, generosity. Showing respect and care for manuhiri (guests).

Kaitiakitanga:

Guardianship, protection of environment and taonga. Responsibility to care for what's been entrusted to us.

Whanaungatanga:

Relationships, kinship, sense of belonging. Building and maintaining connections with others.

Rangatiratanga:

Leadership, self-determination, chieftainship. Taking responsibility and leading with integrity.

Tapu & Noa:

Sacred/restricted vs common/free. Understanding what is sacred and requires respect vs what is everyday.

Scenario 1: Marae Visit

Your class is visiting a local marae for the first time. When you arrive, an elder begins the pōwhiri (welcome ceremony). You're hungry and thirsty from the bus ride, and you see a water fountain near the entrance to the wharenui. Your friend whispers that they're going to grab a quick drink.

🤔 Questions to Consider:

  1. What tikanga principles are involved in this situation?
  2. Should your friend get water during the pōwhiri? Why/why not?
  3. What would be the respectful response?
  4. What could happen if tikanga is not followed?

Your Response:

Scenario 2: Sharing Kai

Your grandmother has prepared a special hangi for a family gathering. There's only enough food for everyone to have one serving. Your cousin arrives late (they were at sports practice) and there's only one plate left. You haven't eaten yet and you're really hungry, but you know your cousin missed lunch too.

🤔 Questions to Consider:

  1. Which tikanga values are relevant here?
  2. What would manaakitanga (hospitality) suggest?
  3. How does whanaungatanga (kinship) influence your decision?
  4. What might a compromise look like?

Your Response:

Scenario 3: Environmental Decision

Your local council wants to build a shopping mall on land that contains a significant native forest. The mall would create jobs and bring businesses to town, but it would require cutting down 100-year-old trees that are home to native birds including kererū and tūī. Some of these trees were planted by local iwi as part of traditional food gathering practices.

🤔 Questions to Consider:

  1. How does kaitiakitanga apply to this situation?
  2. What are the competing values/interests?
  3. What would prioritizing environmental guardianship look like?
  4. Is there a middle path that honors both development and protection?

Your Response:

Scenario 4: Class Leadership

Your teacher asks you to lead a group project. You have good ideas, but you notice that two other students in your group are staying quiet even though they clearly have something to contribute. One student keeps trying to take over and make all the decisions without listening to others.

🤔 Questions to Consider:

  1. How does rangatiratanga (leadership) apply here?
  2. What does good leadership look like in a Māori context?
  3. How can you ensure everyone's voice is heard (whanaungatanga)?
  4. What specific actions would you take?

Your Response:

Scenario 5: Taonga Protection

Your kōhanga reo (Māori language preschool) has an old carved pou (post) that's been there for 50 years. It's starting to deteriorate and needs restoration. A museum offers to take it, restore it professionally, and display it where thousands of people would see it. Some whānau want to keep it at the kōhanga even if it means slower, community-led restoration.

🤔 Questions to Consider:

  1. What does kaitiakitanga mean for taonga (treasures)?
  2. Is it better to preserve the pou professionally or keep it in its community context?
  3. How might different generations view this differently?
  4. What would honor both the taonga and the community?

Your Response:

🌟 Extension Challenge

Create Your Own Tikanga Scenario: Write a realistic situation where tikanga values could guide decision-making. Share with a classmate and discuss possible responses!

Your Scenario: