📚 Ngā Mahere Wāhanga Unit Plans Command Center

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Y7-10 TAM-01

🌟 Te Ao Māori - Cultural Identity & Knowledge Systems

Students explore Māori worldviews, values, and knowledge systems as a foundation for understanding all learning areas. Emphasizes whakapapa, kaitiakitanga, and manaakitanga through inquiry-based pedagogy.

6-8 weeks • Te Ao Māori
Y7-10 HIS-01

📜 Decolonized History

A journey through Aotearoa's history from a Māori perspective. Understanding the impacts of colonisation and the resilience of iwi.

6-8 weeks • Tikanga-ā-Iwi / Social Sciences
Y9 SCI-02

🌿 Aotearoa's Living Landscapes - Ecology

6-week ecology unit exploring NZ ecosystems, biodiversity, and kaitiakitanga through field studies, citizen science, and restoration projects. Integrates mātauranga Māori with contemporary environmental science.

6 weeks • Pūtaiao / Science (Living World)
Y7-10 SCI-01

🌊 STEM + Mātauranga Māori

Integrates traditional Māori scientific knowledge with contemporary STEM concepts. Dual knowledge systems approach to environmental science, astronomy, and sustainable innovation.

8-10 weeks • Pūtaiao / Science
Y9-11 SSC-02

💰 Economic Justice

Explores economic systems, equity, and justice through a Te Ao Māori lens. Students examine wealth distribution, resource management, and alternative economic models grounded in tikanga.

6-8 weeks • Social Sciences / Tikanga-ā-Iwi
Y9-12 ENG-01

🌏 Global Connections & Critical Media

Students analyze media, globalization, and their impacts on culture and identity. Critical literacy approach to understanding power, representation, and digital citizenship.

6-8 weeks • Reo Pākehā / English + Tikanga-ā-Iwi / Social Sciences
Y10-13 XCR-01

🚀 Future Rangatiratanga & Action

Project-based unit where students lead community change initiatives. Applies learning across all curriculum areas to address real-world issues through a kaupapa Māori framework.

4-6 weeks • Marau Whakawhiti / Cross-curricular
Y11-13 TCH-01

🤖 Digital Technologies & AI Ethics

Senior students explore AI principles, ethics, and Māori data sovereignty. Includes prompt engineering, algorithmic bias, and culturally-grounded approaches to emerging technologies.

4-6 weeks • Hangarau / Technology
Y7-13 HPE-01

💪 Hauora Wairua - Holistic Wellbeing

Comprehensive 6-week unit exploring physical, mental, social, and spiritual health through Te Whare Tapa Whā framework. Covers nutrition, movement, sleep, relationships, identity, and cultural wellbeing with anti-oppressive framing.

6 weeks • Hauora / Health & Physical Education
Y8 HauOra-p3-u1

🏠 Te Whare Tapa Whā Mastery Pathway

Parallel mastery pathway built from the restored backup lessons. Focuses entirely on Te Whare Tapa Whā with wairua-first sequencing, whenua immersion, and whānau integration rituals. PLU: HauOra-p3-u1

5-lesson intensive • Hauora / Te Ao Māori
Y8 SSC-03

How Systems Shape Our Lives

Students explore government systems, rights, and civic participation through NZ and global contexts. Inquiry-based approach to understanding power, democracy, and social structures.

5 weeks • Social Sciences / Tikanga-ā-Iwi
Y7-13 ENG-02

Writer's Toolkit

Comprehensive writing skills development covering narrative techniques, rhetorical devices, and culturally-responsive writing practices. Scaffolded lessons from sentence fluency to complex argumentation.

Flexible duration • Reo Pākehā / English
Y7-8 ENG-03

📚 Literacy Fundamentals: Structured Literacy & Phonics

Evidence-based structured literacy unit for students needing systematic phonics instruction. Features 'The Code' methodology, explicit teaching of phoneme-grapheme relationships, and decodable texts.

8 weeks • Reo Pākehā / English (Targeted Support)
Y8 MAT-03 Phase 3

📊 Statistical Investigation

Students conduct a full statistical enquiry cycle (PPDAC) on a topic of their choice. Includes data gathering, analysis, and presentation of findings.

4 weeks • Pāngarau / Mathematics
Y9 MAT-04 Phase 4

📐 Geometry & Māori Patterns

Explores geometric transformations, symmetry, and construction through the lens of Kōwhaiwhai and Tukutuku patterns. Integrates mathematical precision with cultural design.

5 weeks • Pāngarau / Mathematics
Y7-10 ENV-01

🌿 Environmental Mātauranga

Integrating traditional Māori ecological knowledge with modern environmental science through hands-on investigation, mathematical analysis, and cultural understanding.

3-4 weeks • Cross-curricular (Science + Math + Social Studies + Mātauranga Māori)
Y7-10 TRM-01

🌿 Te Reo Māori Foundations — Kōrerotia, Whakarongo, Whakaatu

Introductory reo Māori unit focused on pronunciation, pepeha, tikanga-rich kōrero, and everyday conversations. Builds confidence and connection through authentic speaking practice.

6-7 weeks • Te Reo Māori
Y8-10 SSC-05

🏛️ Design Your Own Society

Project-based systems inquiry where students become architects of an ideal society. Applies concepts of government, economy, rights, and responsibilities in a creative design challenge.

4-6 weeks • Social Studies Systems Project
Y5-8 TRM-02

🏔️ Kōrero 4: Tōku Pepeha

"Ko wai ahau? Nō hea ahau?" — Students construct and deliver their pepeha connecting to maunga, awa, waka, iwi, and hapū. Deepens identity and confidence in te reo.

6 weeks • Te Reo Māori (Emergent)
Y8 SCI-06 Phase 3

⚙️ Systems Thinking

Understand interconnected systems in nature and society. Explore feedback loops, cycles, and cause-effect relationships.

4-5 weeks • Pūtaiao / Science
Y7 TCH-04 Phase 3

💻 Digital Technology Foundations

Introduction to digital technologies for Year 7. Safe online practices, computational thinking, and digital creation.

6 weeks • Hangarau / Technology
Y7 ENG-01 Phase 3

📖 Foundational Reading

Build strong reading foundations. Comprehension strategies, vocabulary development, and engagement with NZ texts.

6-8 weeks • Reo Pākehā / English
Y9-10 XC-02 Phase 4

🔍 Guided Inquiry - Society Design

Student-led inquiry into societal challenges. Research methodologies, critical analysis, and solution design.

8-10 weeks • Cross-Curricular
Y7-10 XC-03 Phase 3-4

🎯 Project-Based Learning

Authentic projects addressing real community challenges. Collaborative problem-solving and presentation skills.

6-10 weeks • Cross-Curricular
Y9-10 TCH-05 Phase 4

♻️ Sustainable Technology

Design and create sustainable solutions. Life-cycle analysis, upcycling, and eco-innovation.

6 weeks • Hangarau / Technology
Y3-6 SCI-07 Phase 2

🌱 Primary Kaitiakitanga

Environmental guardianship for primary students. Caring for local ecosystems and understanding kaitiakitanga.

5-6 weeks • Pūtaiao / Science
Y7-10 ENG-02 Phase 3-4

✍️ Writer's Toolkit

Essential writing skills and strategies. Craft, voice, and genre exploration for confident writers.

Ongoing • Reo Pākehā / English
Y7-8 SCI-08 Phase 3

🌊 Awa Guardians

Become guardians of local waterways. Water quality testing, macroinvertebrate surveys, and restoration action planning.

6 weeks • Pūtaiao / Science
Y7-8 SOC-38 Phase 3

🍯 Mānuka Enterprise

Explore Māori economic models through the lens of the high-value mānuka honey industry. Understand social enterprise and export markets.

6 weeks • Pūtaiao / Social Sciences
Y1-6 ENG-03 Phase 1-2

📚 Literacy Fundamentals

Foundation literacy skills for primary. Phonics, reading fluency, and early writing development.

Ongoing • Reo Pākehā / English
Y1-6 MAT-05 Phase 1-2

🔢 Numeracy Fundamentals

Foundation numeracy for primary students. Number sense, basic operations, and mathematical reasoning.

Ongoing • Pāngarau / Mathematics
Y1-6 XC-04 Phase 1-2

🧠 Learning Systems

How we learn - metacognition for primary. Growth mindset, learning strategies, and self-regulation.

Ongoing • Cross-Curricular
Y7 SCI-04

🌳 Ecosystems & Living Things

Introduction to ecosystems for Year 7 students. Explore food chains, habitats, and biodiversity through hands-on investigations of local environments.

4-5 weeks • Pūtaiao / Science
Y8 SS-11 Phase 3

🧠 Te Whakaaro Māramatanga - Critical Thinking

8-week unit developing critical thinking, logical reasoning, and decision-making. Includes bias detection, logical fallacies, Socratic questioning, and ethical frameworks.

8 weeks • Tikanga-ā-Iwi / Social Studies
Y8 TCH-03 Phase 3

🛡️ Digital Kaitiakitanga

10-week digital citizenship unit applying Te Whare Tapa Whā to online life. Digital footprints, cyber safety, and ethical participation through a Māori worldview.

10 weeks • Hangarau / Digital Technologies
Y9 SS-12 Phase 4

✊ Digital Activism

Explore social movements in the digital age. Analyze algorithms, study NZ movements that changed history, and create ethical digital campaigns.

4-5 weeks • Tikanga-ā-Iwi / Social Studies
Y10 SCI-05 Phase 4

🧭 Physics of Navigation

From star navigation to GPS. Explore Polynesian wayfinding, magnetism, and modern navigation physics connecting mātauranga Māori with science.

6 weeks • Pūtaiao / Physics
Y10 SCI-06 Phase 4

⚛️ Physics: Forces & Motion

Māori engineering (whētuki, waka) meets Newton's Laws. Analyze forces in traditional and modern contexts.

6-8 weeks • Pūtaiao / Physics
Y0-3 START-01 Phase 1

🎒 Starter Pack: Starting School

15-minute activities for whānau class/homeroom. Building confidence and connection for new learners.

15-min activities • Cross-Curricular
Y4-6 START-02 Phase 2

🎒 Starter Pack: Years 4-6

15-minute activities for whānau class/homeroom. Building independence and critical thinking.

15-min activities • Cross-Curricular
Y7-8 START-03 Phase 3

🎒 Starter Pack: Years 7-8

15-minute activities for whānau class/homeroom. Transitioning to intermediate, building study skills.

15-min activities • Cross-Curricular
Y9-10 START-04 Phase 4

🎒 Starter Pack: Years 9-10

15-minute activities for whānau class/homeroom. High school readiness and NCEA preparation.

15-min activities • Cross-Curricular
Y11-13 START-05 Phase 5

🎒 Starter Pack: Years 11-13

15-minute activities for whānau class/homeroom. Senior pathways and future planning.

15-min activities • Cross-Curricular
Y7-10 ART-01 Phase 3-4

🎨 Arts & Design Thinking

Creative problem-solving through design methodology. Empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test.

6-8 weeks • The Arts / Technology
Y9-13 SS-08 Phase 4-5

✊ NZ Activism & Social Movements

Parihaka, Bastion Point, 1981 Springbok Tour. How ordinary people create extraordinary change.

6-8 weeks • Social Studies / History

🎓 Phase 5: Senior Secondary (Years 11-13)

NCEA-aligned units focusing on deep subject specialization, future pathways, and critical analysis.

Y11 (L1) MAT-1.2 Phase 5

📊 Math & Housing in Aotearoa

Critical analysis of housing affordability data. Using mathematical methods to explore real-world issues (AS 91945).

6 weeks • Mathematics & Statistics
Y11 (L1) SCI-L1 Developing

🔬 Science Investigation (Coming Soon)

Placeholder for NCEA Level 1 Science unit.

Coming Soon • Science
Y11 (L1) ENG-L1 Developing

📝 English Visual/Written (Coming Soon)

Placeholder for NCEA Level 1 English unit.

Coming Soon • English

🧪 Labs / Beta Units

Experimental units currently in development or testing. We value your feedback on these pilots.

Y9-10 LAB-01

❄️ Climate Change & Antarctica

Investigate the frozen continent's role in global climate systems through a kaitiakitanga lens.

Beta • Pūtaiao / Science + Social Studies
Y9-13 LAB-02

✊ Aotearoa Activism

From Parihaka to the Springbok Tour. Analyze the social movements that shaped our nation.

Beta • Tikanga-ā-Iwi / History
Y6 LAB-03

🦁 Zoo Grid Adventure

Navigate the Hamilton Zoo using coordinate geometry and grid systems. A practical maths adventure.

Beta • Pāngarau / Mathematics
Y10 LAB-04

🚀 Physics: Forces & Motion

From waka navigation to rocket launches. Explore Newton's laws through Māori and NZ contexts.

Beta • Pūtaiao / Physics
Y7-8 LAB-05

➗ Intro to Algebra

Uncover patterns in kōwhaiwhai and tukutuku. A culturally grounded introduction to variables and equations.

Beta • Pāngarau / Mathematics