This is a scaffolded guided inquiry project developing research and critical thinking skills.

Investigating Te Ao Māori Worldview Foundations

šŸŒ± He WhakataukÄ«

"Ko ahau te taiao, ko te taiao ko ahau"

I am the environment, and the environment is me

This whakataukī reminds us that in Te Ao Māori (the Māori worldview), humans and nature are not separate - they are interconnected. As you research Te Ao Māori foundations, remember this deep connection that shapes how Māori understand the world.

šŸ” About This Guided Inquiry Project

Instead of writing an essay from scratch, you'll be guided step-by-step through the research process. This helps you develop essential skills: asking good questions, finding reliable sources, analyzing evidence, and drawing conclusions.

You will:

  • Develop your own research question about Te Ao Māori
  • Use multiple source types (academic, oral, visual)
  • Apply critical thinking frameworks
  • Synthesize findings into clear conclusions
  • Present your research using multiple formats

Stage 1: Choose Your Research Focus

Select ONE essential question that interests you. These questions can't be answered with simple facts - they require deep investigation.

šŸŒ Pathway A: Whakapapa & Interconnectedness

Essential Question:

"How does the concept of whakapapa shape Māori understanding of relationships between people, places, and the natural world?"

Research Areas:

  • Genealogical connections beyond family trees
  • Whakapapa of landscapes and natural features
  • How whakapapa influences decision-making
  • Comparison with Western individualistic thinking

šŸ”ļø Pathway B: Mauri & Life Force

Essential Question:

"Why is mauri (life force) central to Māori environmental practices, and how does this challenge Western ideas about 'resources'?"

Research Areas:

  • Mauri in rivers, forests, and landscapes
  • How mauri guides kaitiakitanga practices
  • Differences from Western 'natural resources' thinking
  • Contemporary applications in environmental law

šŸ—£ļø Pathway C: Te Reo & Worldview

Essential Question:

"How does te reo Māori reflect and preserve unique ways of understanding the world that can't be translated into English?"

Research Areas:

  • Untranslatable concepts (aroha, whakatōhea, etc.)
  • How language shapes thinking
  • Language revitalization and worldview preservation
  • Examples from other Indigenous languages

āš–ļø Pathway D: Utu & Restorative Justice

Essential Question:

"How does the Māori concept of utu (balanced response) offer different approaches to justice than Western punishment systems?"

Research Areas:

  • Utu as balance and reciprocity, not revenge
  • Traditional conflict resolution practices
  • Modern restorative justice applications
  • Community healing vs individual punishment

šŸ“ My Chosen Research Focus:

Stage 2: Develop Your Specific Research Question

Take your chosen pathway and make it more specific. A strong research question is:

āœ… Strong Research Questions:

  • Focused on specific examples
  • Can be answered with evidence
  • Allow for multiple perspectives
  • Connect to contemporary issues

āŒ Weak Research Questions:

  • Too broad or vague
  • Can be answered with a simple fact
  • Based on stereotypes
  • Only have one "right" answer

šŸŽÆ Question Development Examples:

Whakapapa Focus Example:

"How do Ngāti Tūwharetoa understand their whakapapa connection to Lake Taupō, and how does this influence their environmental protection strategies?"

Mauri Focus Example:

"How did recognition of Te Urewera's mauri in the 2014 Te Urewera Act change legal thinking about nature's rights in Aotearoa?"

šŸ“ MY SPECIFIC RESEARCH QUESTION:

Stage 3: Identify Your Source Types

To understand Te Ao Māori authentically, you need diverse source types. Check off each type as you find them:

šŸ—£ļø Oral Sources (Mātauranga Māori)

  • Interviews with kaumātua or cultural experts
  • Recorded whakataukÄ« or whakatōhea explanations
  • Iwi website oral histories
  • Documentary interviews

šŸ“š Academic Sources

  • Māori scholars' research (Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Mason Durie, etc.)
  • Peer-reviewed journal articles
  • University research papers
  • Books by respected Māori academics

šŸ›ļø Contemporary Applications

  • Recent Treaty settlement documents
  • Environmental court cases
  • Iwi management plans
  • Government policy incorporating Māori worldviews

šŸ“° Media & Current Events

  • Māori Television or Radio New Zealand interviews
  • Recent news about environmental disputes
  • Social media from Māori activists/educators
  • TED talks or YouTube videos by Māori speakers

āš ļø Critical Source Evaluation:

Always prioritize sources BY Māori people ABOUT Māori topics. Be cautious of non-Māori interpretations that might misrepresent concepts. Ask: "Who has the cultural authority to speak on this topic?"

Stage 4: Collect & Analyze Evidence

Use this framework to systematically analyze each source. Complete one table per source:

šŸ“Š SOURCE ANALYSIS #1
Source Type:
Author/Speaker:
Cultural Authority:
Key Evidence:
Connection to My Question:

šŸ’” Analysis Questions to Consider:

  • What specific examples does this source provide?
  • How does this connect to contemporary issues?
  • What perspective does this represent?
  • How does this compare/contrast with other sources?
  • What questions does this raise for further research?

Stage 5: Synthesize Your Findings

Now bring together what you've learned from multiple sources. This is where you develop your own insights:

šŸ§© Pattern Recognition:

What patterns do you see across your sources?

What contradictions or tensions did you discover?

How do these findings challenge or confirm your initial assumptions?

šŸŽÆ Your Research Conclusion:

Based on your evidence, how would you answer your research question?

What are the broader implications of your findings?

What questions emerged that could guide future research?

Stage 6: Present Your Research

Choose how you'll share your findings. Pick the format that best suits your research and strengths:

šŸ“° Traditional Research Essay

1,500-2,000 words with introduction, body paragraphs presenting evidence, and conclusion. Include proper citations.

šŸŽ„ Video Documentary

8-10 minute video combining narration, interviews (if possible), images, and evidence. Include source credits.

šŸŽ¤ Podcast Episode

15-20 minute audio exploring your research, including "interviews" with historical figures or expert quotes.

šŸ–¼ļø Digital Exhibition

Interactive display (website, poster series, or presentation) combining visuals, text, and multimedia elements.

My chosen presentation format:

āœ… Assessment Rubric - Te Ao Māori Research Skills

Criteria Developing Achieved Excelling
Research Question Broad or unfocused question; limited connection to Te Ao Māori Clear, focused question directly related to Te Ao Māori concepts Sophisticated question showing deep understanding of Māori worldview complexities
Source Selection Limited source types; some non-Māori perspectives only Multiple source types including Māori voices; culturally appropriate Diverse, high-quality sources prioritizing Māori expertise; critical evaluation of authority
Evidence Analysis Basic summary of sources; limited connection between evidence Clear analysis of evidence; identifies patterns and contradictions Sophisticated synthesis; evaluates reliability and recognizes multiple perspectives
Cultural Understanding Surface-level understanding; some misconceptions evident Demonstrates genuine understanding of concepts; culturally respectful Deep, nuanced understanding; makes meaningful connections to contemporary issues
Conclusion Restates information without clear conclusion Draws clear conclusions based on evidence; addresses research question Insightful conclusions with broader implications; identifies areas for future research
Presentation Basic organization; minimal creativity Well-organized, engaging format; clear communication Creative, polished presentation; effective use of chosen medium; culturally appropriate