Hauora and environmental education

Hauora is a Māori concept of health and wellbeing. Its four aspects include:

• taha tinana — physical wellbeing

• taha hinengaro — mental and emotional wellbeing

• taha whāna u — social wellbeing

• taha wairu a — spiritual wellbeing.

Environmental educators Anne Barker and Alex Daniel explain how being connected to the local outdoor environment can support hauora.

Discussion questions:

• How does being outdoors support your individual wellbeing?

• Does taking action to protect the environment improve your hauora?

Transcript

ANNE BARKER

When students are outside and the opportunities to be in a really beautiful natural environment, it contributes to their hauora. It means that they have that strong sense of connection, particularly when you’re doing that within their own backyard – within their own rohe – then they’re getting that connection to that whenua there and then.

STUDENTS

How stable are the banks of the stream?

Probably a 2.

ALEX DANIEL

As they get to know our natural spaces, they start to have a real appreciation and a deeper understanding for their place and their connection with our environment and the places that we live.

ANNE BARKER

That builds them as individuals, it contributes to mana enhancement, and I think there’s a huge need for that for all students, it’s not just for our Māori students. It’s about all of us having that sense of connection, of belonging. And part of that goes with a deep understanding and connection with your particular environment, whatever that may be.

Acknowledgements

Anne Barker Te Whai Toi Tangata Institute of Professional Learning Alex Daniel Waikato Regional Council The Fairfield Project Hannah, Jess and Sam, Waikato Diocesan School for Girls Jake and Sarah, Bankwood Primary School