Māori knowledge of animals – provocative questions
Aotearoa New Zealand is home to animal species that are uniquely adapted to life on our islands and exist here and nowhere else. We also have animal species that were intentionally or accidentally introduced. It is an understatement to say that managing this mix of endemic and introduced animal species is complicated!
This activity uses an inquiry approach to explore how we manage and/or interact with animal species, from glow-worms to the extinct kurī. It is cross-curricular as it explores science concepts like conservation and animal behaviours as well as mātauranga Māori, New Zealand histories and animal ethics.
Extensive trapping to protect takahē
The Department of Conservation uses a network of 2,500 traps to protect takahē from stoats.
In this activity, ākonga use provocative questions to explore issues or events – past or present – pertaining to animals of Aotearoa.
By the end of this activity, ākonga should be able to:
identify an issue or event of personal or local interest
use literacy skills to locate information about the issue or event
communicate their findings.
Download the Word file (see link below).
