š¤ Te Tiriti o Waitangi Partnership & Power-Sharing
Äkonga explore Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a living document guiding contemporary partnership between MÄori and Tauiwi. We examine historical and current applications, understanding how Treaty principles shape modern Aotearoa and our collective responsibilities.
Focus PÄtai for this wÄnanga
- How do Treaty principles guide contemporary decision-making in Aotearoa?
- What does authentic partnership look like in practice?
- How can we as rangatahi honour Treaty commitments in our actions?
Learning Intentions
- We are learning how Treaty principles apply to contemporary partnerships and power-sharing.
- We are learning to evaluate examples of successful and unsuccessful Treaty implementation.
- We are learning to design respectful partnership approaches in our own contexts.
Success Criteria (Äkonga-facing)
- I can explain the three Treaty principles and their contemporary applications.
- I can analyse case studies of Treaty partnership using evidence from multiple perspectives.
- I can design partnership plans that honor Treaty commitments in school or community contexts.
Te MÄtaiaho Threads
- Tangata Whenuatanga Ā· PS5 ā understand Treaty as foundational to Aotearoa identity.
- Social Studies | Tikanga-Ä-Iwi ā examine power, participation and democracy in Aotearoa.
- Citizenship | Civic Literacy ā participate in civic life with cultural responsiveness.
NgÄ Mahi - Lesson Activities (75 minutes)
šŗ Video Introduction: Understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi (10 mins)
Before Watching: Think about these questions:
- What do you already know about the Treaty of Waitangi?
- Why might a treaty signed in 1840 still matter today?
- What does "partnership" mean between two groups?
PÄtai - Questions to Consider While Watching:
- What were the main promises made in Te Tiriti?
- How did the English and MÄori versions differ?
- What does "tino rangatiratanga" mean?
- How were the Treaty principles broken or upheld?
After Watching - Think-Pair-Share:
Discuss with a partner:
- Think: What was the most surprising thing you learned? (1 min)
- Pair: Share your thoughts with your partner (2 mins)
- Share: We'll hear from 2-3 pairs about their insights (2 mins)
1. NgÄ MÄtÄpono - Understanding the Three Principles (20 mins)
Foundation Learning: Students explore the three foundational principles of Te Tiriti and what they mean in practice.
1. Partnership
Meaning: MÄori and Crown work together as equals, making decisions that affect both communities collaboratively.
Example: Co-governance of natural resources, shared decision-making in education and health.
2. Participation
Meaning: MÄori have meaningful involvement in all decisions that affect them, at all levels of society.
Example: MÄori representation in Parliament, involvement in local council decisions affecting MÄori communities.
3. Protection
Meaning: The Crown actively protects MÄori interests, language, culture, and tino rangatiratanga (self-determination).
Example: Te Reo MÄori revitalization programs, protecting traditional fishing and gathering rights.
These Principles Apply to All Relationships
How can partnership, participation, and protection improve relationships in families, friendships, schools, and communities?
2. Mana Tohatoha - Power-Sharing in Practice (25 mins)
Scenario Analysis: Students apply Treaty principles to analyze real-world situations and practice partnership thinking.
Scenario A: School Decision-Making
Situation: Your school is changing its uniform policy. Currently, only teachers and principal make decisions.
Analysis Task: How would Treaty principles improve this process? What would partnership, participation, and protection look like?
Scenario B: Family Decision-Making
Situation: A family is deciding where to go for their annual holiday. Parents usually just decide without consulting children.
Analysis Task: How could the family use Treaty principles to make decisions that work for everyone?
Scenario C: Environmental Protection
Situation: A local river is being polluted by industrial waste. The company says it's creating jobs and boosting the economy.
Analysis Task: Using Treaty principles, how should this issue be addressed? Who should be involved in decisions?
Scenario D: Cultural Expression
Situation: A sports team wants to use a MÄori design for their logo without consulting local iwi or understanding its meaning.
Analysis Task: What Treaty principles are relevant? How should the team approach this respectfully?
3. Te Tiriti Today - Living Partnership in Modern Aotearoa (20 mins)
Contemporary Investigation: Students examine how Te Tiriti principles are being applied (or not applied) in current Aotearoa New Zealand.
Education & Te Reo MÄori
Partnership: How are MÄori and Crown working together to revitalize Te Reo?
Current Reality: Te Reo MÄori in schools, MÄori-medium education, cultural integration in curriculum.
Environmental Co-governance
Partnership: Rivers, mountains, and forests with legal personhood status.
Current Reality: Te Urewera Act, Whanganui River settlement, shared management of natural resources.
Health & Social Services
Protection: Addressing health inequities and improving MÄori health outcomes.
Current Reality: MÄori health authority, culturally appropriate services, addressing systemic racism.
Political Representation
Participation: MÄori political representation and decision-making power.
Current Reality: MÄori electorates, MÄori Party, local council MÄori wards, consultation processes.
Student Research Task:
Choose one contemporary example and investigate: How well are Treaty principles being applied? What's working well? What could be improved? How does this affect all New Zealanders?
Resources: Use Treaty analysis handout for detailed background information.
4. WhakatÅhea - Becoming One People Through Partnership (10 mins)
Personal Reflection: Students consider how Treaty principles can guide their own relationships and actions.
Reflection Questions:
- Personal Partnership: How can you practice partnership in your friendships, whÄnau relationships, and group work?
- Participation Commitment: How can you ensure that all voices are heard in groups you're part of?
- Protection Responsibility: How can you help protect things that are important to others, even if they're different from you?
- Bicultural Aotearoa: Regardless of your heritage, how can you contribute to respectful bicultural relationships?
Personal Treaty Commitment
Write one specific action you commit to taking this week that demonstrates partnership, participation, or protection in your daily life.
Cross-Curricular Applications
Social Studies
Government systems, democracy, human rights, international treaty comparisons
English
Argument analysis, persuasive writing, critical reading of government documents
Health & PE
Relationship skills, conflict resolution, team dynamics, leadership
Drama
Treaty signing roleplay, exploring different perspectives, historical recreation
Aromatawai - Assessment
Understanding & Application
- Principle Comprehension: Clear understanding of partnership, participation, protection
- Scenario Analysis: Thoughtful application of Treaty principles to contemporary situations
- Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze how well current systems honor Te Tiriti
- Personal Connection: Meaningful reflection on personal application
Extension Projects
- Community Investigation: Research local Treaty applications (river management, council MÄori wards)
- Comparative Analysis: Compare Te Tiriti with other international indigenous treaties
- Creative Expression: Develop artistic representation of Treaty principles
- Action Project: Implement Treaty principles in school or community context
Whakamutunga - Lesson Reflection
Today we discovered that Te Tiriti o Waitangi provides a blueprint for respectful relationships that goes far beyond 1840. Its principles of partnership, participation, and protection offer guidance for creating fairness in our families, schools, communities, and nation. Understanding Te Tiriti helps us all contribute to bicultural Aotearoa, regardless of our heritage.
"He whakatÅhea" - To be as one people through partnership, not assimilation.