Whānau is the Māori word for family. Families come in all shapes and sizes — what matters most is the love, support, and connection between people. Every family is special!
👪 Types of Families
👨👩👧👦
Nuclear Family
Parents and children living together
👴👵👨👩👧
Extended Family
Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins
👨👧👦
Solo Parent
One parent with children
👨👩👧👦👨👩👦
Blended Family
Step-parents and step-siblings
👵❤️👧
Grandparent Family
Grandparents raising grandchildren
🤝
Foster or Whāngai
Children cared for by others
🌿 Whānau in Te Ao Māori
- Whānau — immediate and extended family
- Hapū — sub-tribe, group of whānau
- Iwi — tribe, many hapū together
- Whakapapa — genealogy, family connections
- Tuākana-teina — older sibling helps younger
- Whāngai — customary Māori adoption
👨👩👧 Roles in Families
- Māmā — mother
- Pāpā — father
- Tuahine — sister (of a male)
- Tungāne — brother (of a female)
- Kuia — grandmother / elderly woman
- Koroua — grandfather / elderly man
- Mokopuna — grandchild
💝 What Makes a Strong Whānau
- ❤️ Aroha — love, compassion
- 🤝 Manaakitanga — caring for each other
- 💪 Kotahitanga — unity, working together
- 🗣️ Communication — talking and listening
- 🙏 Respect — for all family members
✏️ Activities
Draw or describe your whānau:
- Who is in your whānau?
- What do you do together?
- What makes your family special?
My family is special because:
👩🏫 Teacher Notes
- Social Studies: Identity, culture, relationships
- Health: Relationships
Note: Be sensitive — family structures vary widely and some students may have complex situations.