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📚 Unit Plans → 🌿 Unit 11: Te Reo Māori Foundations → 📖 Lesson 2: Ko Wai Au?
Lesson 2 of 5 70 minutes

Unit 11: Te Reo Māori Foundations — Kōrerotia, Whakarongo, Whakaatu

Pepeha and identity kōrero rooted in place, people, and belonging.

1 He Timatanga
2 Ko Wai Au?
3 Tikanga in Kōrerorero
4 Whānau Connections
5 Kōrerorero o Ia Rā
Unit 11: Te Reo Māori Foundations Lesson 2 of 5

Ko Wai Au? — Pepeha and Identity

Duration: 70 minutes Year Level: 7-10 Curriculum Areas: Te Reo Māori, Social Studies

Lesson resources: Pepeha Builder

🎯 Learning Objectives & Success Criteria

By the end of this lesson, ākonga will be able to:

  • Describe the purpose of a pepeha and key parts.
  • Create a draft pepeha using personal connections.
  • Share a pepeha respectfully in a small group.

Success Criteria

  • ✓ Pepeha includes name, place, and people
  • ✓ Correct use of Ko/Ko au
  • ✓ Clear pronunciation in peer share

Ngā Mahi - Lesson Flow (70 minutes)

1. Pepeha Listening & Unpacking (15 mins)

Teacher model + kōrero

Teacher shares a short pepeha. Students identify the parts: maunga, awa, waka, iwi, hapū, ingoa.

  • Discuss: Why do we acknowledge places and people?
  • Note local iwi/hapū protocols for pepeha order.

2. Pepeha Builder Studio (30 mins)

Independent + teacher support

Use the Pepeha Builder handout to draft a pepeha. Provide sentence frames for students still learning their whakapapa.

  • Students identify places that ground them (home, school, community).
  • Teacher checks pronunciation and supports local tikanga.

3. Whānau Share Circle (20 mins)

Small-group sharing

Students share pepeha in groups of 4. Listeners give feedback using two stars and a wish.

  • Encourage respectful listening and support for pronunciation.
  • Optional audio recording for practice at home.

Whakamutunga: Exit Reflection (5 mins)

Short reflection

Exit ticket: What part of your pepeha feels strongest today? What do you still want to learn?

📊 Assessment Notes

  • Formative check: listen for correct use of Ko/Ko au and key place names.
  • Collect: draft pepeha or audio clip for feedback.

🧺 Resources & Materials