11ARP - Mātauranga Māori.

Taiao

is a Māori word that basically means "the environment," but it's way more than just trees and rivers. It's about the whole interconnected web of life – the sky, the sea, the land, all the creatures, and even us humans!

Think of it like this:

Everything's linked: Taiao sees everything as connected. The health of the land affects the health of the water, which affects the health of the people and all the other living things. It's all one big whānau (family).
Respect and balance: Taiao is about respecting nature and understanding that we're a part of it, not separate from it. It's about finding a balance between our needs and the needs of the environment.
A spiritual connection: For Māori, Taiao is also deeply spiritual. It's about recognizing the mauri (life force) that exists in everything and acknowledging the stories and history that connect us to the land. What or where are items or places that connect us to our own cultures?

So, Taiao is about understanding that we're part of something bigger than ourselves and taking care of the environment so that it can take care of us.

TURANGAWAEWAE

Turangawaewae is a Māori word that means "a place to stand." But it's way more than just a physical spot. It's any place where you feel like you belong, where you feel connected and safe.

Imagine your favourite place – maybe it's your bedroom, your grandma's house, the beach, or your sports field. That feeling of comfort and belonging? That's turangawaewae.

It's where you feel:

Secure: Like you can be yourself and you're supported.
Strong: Like you can stand tall and face the world.
Connected: To your family, your history, and your culture.

Everyone has a turangawaewae, and it can be more than one place. It's wherever you feel truly at home.

WHAKAPAPA

Whakapapa is like a giant family tree, but way cooler! It's how Māori people trace their ancestors all the way back to the beginning of time, connecting them to the gods and the whole universe.

Think of it like this:

Everything is connected: Just like your family tree shows how you're related to your cousins and grandparents, whakapapa shows how everything in the world is related – people, animals, plants, even the wind and the sea!
From the gods to you: The first ancestors were Ranginui (the sky father) and Papatūānuku (the earth mother). They had kids who were like the Māori gods – Tāne made the forests, Tangaroa ruled the sea, and so on. We're all descended from them!
More than just names: Whakapapa isn't just a list of names. It holds stories, history, knowledge, and traditions, passing them down through generations. It's like a map of everything important in Māori culture.

So basically, whakapapa shows that everything is connected and has a history. It's a powerful way of understanding the world and your place in it.

What are the things you have received from your ancestors? - Activities? - Values? - Items of generational significance?

How do they influence you as you journey forward? Do they influence the decisions you make or what you want to become?

Whakapapa links to landscape were recalled in waiata, particularly oriori (chanted to children), and in stories. Waiata embellished the meaning of whakapapa. Kōrero (stories) and traditions were recalled which also added meaning to whakapapa.

When Māori were laying their claims to land in the Native Land Court hearings, whakapapa, waiata and kōrero were all given in evidence. Claims to land were often based on take tipuna (rights through ancestors) and so it was necessary to trace whakapapa to illustrate particular rights to land or other resources in a given area.

Taonga

are more than just "things" – they're treasures! In Māori culture, taonga have deep meaning and value. They can be physical objects like a carved pendant passed down through generations, or they can be intangible things like knowledge, language, or even a special place.

Think of taonga as having a mauri, a life force. They connect people to their ancestors, their history, and the natural world.

How can you use taonga in art?

Inspiration: Taonga can inspire your artwork. Maybe you create a painting based on the patterns of a woven cloak, or a sculpture inspired by a traditional Māori weapon.
Materials: You could actually use taonga in your art! Maybe you incorporate natural materials like harakeke (flax) or shells into your piece.
Stories: Every taonga has a story. You can tell those stories through your art, expressing the history and meaning behind the taonga.
Respect: It's important to treat taonga with respect in your art. If you're depicting a taonga, do your research and make sure you're representing it accurately and respectfully.

By understanding taonga, you can add depth and meaning to your artwork and connect with Māori culture in a powerful way.

An example could be our commitment to environmental change, how we seek to remedy the failures of the past and present in order to pass on our natural treasures to future generations.

ACTIVITY: Ko Wai Au?

Do the Mahi and spend time with your family asking about your Whakapapa.

Where are your ancestors from? how did they get here?
Does your family have particular Taonga [precious items] that they have as keep sakes from their ancestors?
Are there oriori or Korero [STORIES] that you or your parents remember that have been passed down through the family that link to your whakapapa
What traditions do you and your family still practice from your whakapapa?

RESOURCE GATHERING

You will need to have a range of images that reflect your families Whakapapa. Start by gathering a range of visual images related to your family's culture. Save these to your google drive folder

Use https://symbolhunt.com/ [and google] to find images from your cultures national emblems or national symbols

National flag
Coat of arms
National flower
National animal
National bird
National colours
National dress/patterns
Find pictures of National taonga [artefacts]

continue to build on these visual resources with other examples of objects, patterns and artefacts from your culture.