Te mana o te wai
Te mana o te wai describes the first right for water being with the water – rivers, lakes and streams as well as the ocean. After human water uses, there must be enough natural flow remaining to keep the rivers functioning as they should for our endemic animals and to enable essential natural processes to occur. The health and wellbeing of water is of vital importance for all living things and must come before other concerns.
Water views and values: true or false? – graphic organiser
True
False
Don't know
Unused items
- Water is a resource for us to use however we wish
- Our local awa are filled with clean, healthy water
- The first right to water is with the water: its wellbeing comes first
- Awa/rivers are homes for many native animals
- Awa/rivers are often unpleasant and dirty
- Awa/rivers are living beings
- People’s needs are more important than the needs of animals and water
- This generation is more important than past or future generations
- Rivers are suitable places to fish and gather food (mahinga kai)
- The ocean is more important than awa/rivers
- All water is connected: ki uta ki tai (from mountains to sea)
- Rivers/awa are places to dispose of our rubbish and waste
- We all have a responsibility to look after awa/rivers
- There should be enough water left in an awa/river for it to be healthy
- Water is a taonga
Water views and values: true or false? – graphic organiser
Use this interactive graphic organiser to explore your personal views and values relating to water. Place each statement card where you feel it belongs. There are no right or wrong answers.
This activity is part of a suite of resources that support Smart Water – a context for learning, which provides students and teachers with opportunities to connect with water and learn more about drinking water in the Waikato region. The science and mātauranga concepts that underpin Smart Water are transferable to other locations in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Prior to conducting this activity, teachers may find it useful to read the article Managing classroom discussions. It provides helpful tips for creating a positive climate for discussion.
In this activity, students explore the concept of te mana o te wai and mauri (the dynamic life force energy).
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
use an interactive organiser to sort statements according to personal values and views
explain what is meant by te mana o te wai
describe the concept of mauri
reflect on their personal values around water and te mana o te wai.
Download the Word file (see link below).
