B.
The Maoris
1. Try to find out what the following Maori words mean (maybe you can ask your e-pals…):
Aotearoa
Pakeha
Kahawai
Kauri
Tangata Whenua
Kumara
Kai
Whakapapa
Marae
Haka
Tane Mahuta
Tangaroa
Rangi
Papa
Whaka
Aroha
Mana Maori
Maori Tanga
Maori
Haere Mai
1. Write your own poem!
1. Please choose at least 5 Maori words from above and write a poem.
You can either work in groups or try it alone.
If you need some help, ask your classmates or have a look at
If you need a rhyming dictionary, have a look at
Standard dictionaries can be found here:
If you need more synonyms and antonyms, have a look at:
www.poetry4kids.com
www.bobo.link.cs.cmu.edu/dougb/playground.html
www.dictionary.com
or
www.m-w.com
www.thesaurus.com
or
www.m-w.com
2. You can also work together with the German (Deutsch) group – you can write a poem in English and German, for example.
(1 stanza in English, 1 stanza in German, etc.)
3. Please write down your poem(s) on a separate sheet of paper and read it out to your class.
4. Collect all of your poems (of your class!) in a folder (or in a small book, etc.) and present it at the end of your project.
You can also make copies for your group-members.
2. Maori Legends
2.1.
Please choose one Maori legend you like most from the following internet site:
www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/9338/legends.htm
2.2.
Use this story and write a little play. As an alternative, invent your own story!
3.2.1.
3.2.2.
3.2.3.
3.2.4.
3.2.5.
3.2.6.
Therefore, you need to write a script / screenplay with a plot and dialogues for the different characters.
Try to create your own set (Bühnenbild) and try to find typical Maori songs (Maori Music) to improve
(verschönern) your play.
You can also have a look at the traditional Maori face make-up (Kunst) and paint your faces the same way.
(You can use a black eye-liner – it’s easy to remove.)
Now, it’s time for your rehearsals (Proben)! Try to find a quiet room / place where you can hold your
rehearsals.
Perform your play on stage at the end of the project.
Maybe someone of you (or a teacher, parent, etc.) has the possibility to shoot a video and take some photos
of your performance.
4. Maori History
The Maoris are the indigenous people of New Zealand.
Their history in there stretches back to the 10th
century – long before the white man invaded New
Zealand. Today the Maoris remember their roots by
teaching the young about the history of the Maoris.
In this part of your project you shall try to find out
how the Maoris live today – and how their life was
hundreds of years ago.
Add all your information to your collage.
4.1.HISTORY/GENERAL INFORMATION
Try to give a description of the way the Maoris lived before the white settlers came to New Zealand
+ How long have they been living in NZ? How many Maoris were there?
+ How did they earn a living? How did they use the land?
+ What tools and weapons were used?
+ What were the families like? How did they organize their communities?
4.2. CONFLICTS + RECONCILIATION
+ What conflicts appeared when British colonisation began?
+ Were they overcome? How?
+ What is reconciliation?
+ What is the situation between Maoris and white people now?
Maybe you want to pick a specific example.
+ What solutions would you suggest?
4.3. CULTURE/ARTS (traditional)
The Maoris have a different belief of how the world came into being. Try to find some myths and/or rituals and
explain them. Select some pictures for our exhibition / program.
+ What instruments did they use?
Maybe you can work together with the Music groups!
+ What do their body paintings mean? (Kunst)
+ What can be seen in rock paintings?
4.4. TRADITIONAL CULTURE IN MODERN TIMES
Nowadays only very few Maoris live in the traditional way, most of them have adapted to "modern"
times. Nevertheless, they have not completely forgotten their cultural background but rather
developed a "mixture" of old and new values.
+ Try to find out how they celebrate their customs (language, culture, etc.) today.
For information, try the Internet! Here are some suggestions:
www.maori.org.nz
www.waiata.maori.org.nz
www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/9338/culture.htm
www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/9338/index.html