Kia whakahihiri
Reo Māori Resources
At Poutawa, we support confident te reo Māori learners at every stage of their journey. Our resources build capability, confidence, and genuine connection to te reo Māori, from foundational junior programmes to senior NCEA-aligned units and targeted grammar support. Each resource is designed to make language learning meaningful, usable, and enjoyable.
Grounded in a task-based and culturally rich approach, our units strengthen accuracy, fluency, and understanding through purposeful, interactive learning. Whether building foundations, preparing for NCEA, or supporting independent learners, our resources provide clear pathways that grow both competence and pride in te reo Māori.
MĀ NGĀ TĒINA
junior te reo māori resources
Catering to Levels 1–4 of the New Zealand Curriculum, these units feature interactive tasks and engaging activities that grow confident future reo Māori learners.
Designed to enhance enjoyment, retention and practical language use, they support rangatahi to develop relevant, usable reo in meaningful contexts.
Foundations of te Reo
Te Puāwaitanga o Te Reo
Confidence begins with strong foundations, and this engaging beginner-friendly unit is designed to immerse ākonga in the language, values, and everyday experiences of te reo Māori from the very beginning.
Through greetings, pepeha, whakapapa, locations, and simple conversational reo, learners build confidence communicating about themselves, their whānau, and the world around them in meaningful and authentic ways.
As games, storytelling, collaborative challenges, and creative activities unfold, ākonga strengthen their understanding of both language and cultural identity while developing essential communication skills through interactive and supportive learning experiences.
Rich in tikanga, connection, and real-world language use, this unit nurtures curiosity, belonging, and pride while laying the foundations for a lifelong journey with te reo Māori.
My Identity
Tōku Tuakiritanga
Belonging, identity, and connection come alive in this engaging foundational te reo Māori unit designed to help ākonga explore who they are and where they come from through meaningful and authentic learning experiences.
Through pepeha, mihimihi, karakia, and identity-based kōrero, learners strengthen their confidence communicating about themselves, their whānau, and the people and places that shape their world.
As interactive games, collaborative tasks, and speaking activities unfold, ākonga build strong language foundations while developing confidence, cultural understanding, and a sense of belonging within te ao Māori.
Rich in tikanga, communication, and relational learning, this unit nurtures authentic connection and empowers learners to use te reo Māori with pride, purpose, and confidence.
Ignite The Language
Whakangahautia Te Reo
Ākonga explore te reo Māori through topics that are relevant to rangatahi, including hobbies, sport, music, social media, and everyday activities. Students learn to use te reo in authentic situations, describing themselves and others, talking about what they enjoy, and sharing what they do in their daily lives.
Through engaging and interactive tasks, learners practise language that reflects their real experiences while also exploring tikanga that encourage supporting and acknowledging their peers. This unit helps make te reo Māori normalised, exciting, and meaningful for junior reo ākonga.
Bring on the Adventure!
Nau mai e te Kōihi!
Bring adventure, excitement, and creativity into your te reo Māori classroom with this high-energy unit designed for Years 9–10 learners.
Through travel, theme parks, festivals, and unforgettable experiences, ākonga use expressive te reo Māori to describe places, share stories, communicate emotions, and explore future adventures.
Packed with interactive challenges, digital creativity, and imaginative storytelling, this unit transforms language learning into an exciting journey of confidence, connection, and real-world communication.
Kai Central
Kua Puta a Pito!
Fast food, favourite flavours, and real-world conversations come alive in this engaging te reo Māori unit where ākonga step into the world of takeaway culture, cafés, and shared kai experiences.
Through interactive role-play, menu challenges, and collaborative activities, learners use practical and conversational reo Māori to order food, compare choices, describe flavours, and communicate naturally in everyday situations.
As dining experiences, food reviews, and humorous customer interactions unfold, ākonga strengthen their confidence using polite conventions, questions, kīwaha, and expressive language in authentic contexts.
Packed with energy, laughter, and meaningful communication opportunities, this unit transforms te reo Māori into a living language that belongs in social spaces, shared experiences, and everyday life.
Extraordinary People
Iho Pūmanawa
Unleash creativity, confidence, and self-expression through this superhero-inspired te reo Māori unit designed to help ākonga explore identity in exciting and meaningful ways.
Through imaginative storytelling, character creation, and collaborative challenges, learners use expressive te reo Māori to describe appearance, personality, emotions, strengths, and relationships while discovering what makes every person unique.
As superheroes, sidekicks, and powerful personalities come to life, ākonga strengthen their ability to introduce themselves and others, communicate ideas confidently, and celebrate the values of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and belonging.
Packed with creative design tasks, storytelling experiences, and engaging language challenges, this unit transforms identity learning into an empowering journey of confidence, creativity, and authentic reo Māori use.
The Ice Cream Store
He Toa Aihikirīmi
Sweet flavours, colourful creations, and playful conversations come together in this highly engaging te reo Māori unit designed to make language learning fun, memorable, and full of energy.
Set within the exciting world of an ice cream shop, ākonga use te reo Māori to describe flavours, express preferences, order food, and interact confidently through authentic everyday situations.
Through role-play, creative design tasks, interactive games, and collaborative challenges, learners strengthen their ability to communicate naturally using descriptive and conversational reo Māori.
Packed with humour, creativity, and sensory-rich learning experiences, this unit helps ākonga build confidence, practise polite language conventions, and experience te reo Māori as a joyful and living language that belongs in everyday life.
Amazing Race Aotearoa
Ki Uta! Ki Tai!
Race across Aotearoa, crack clues, solve challenges, and discover the stories hidden within the whenua in this action-packed te reo Māori unit designed to keep ākonga engaged from start to finish.
Inspired by the excitement of an Amazing Race-style adventure, learners work collaboratively to navigate interactive tasks, explore significant places, and strengthen their confidence communicating in te reo Māori.
Through digital storytelling, creative problem-solving, and fast-paced collaborative challenges, ākonga learn to describe locations, share information, communicate ideas, and respond naturally in meaningful real-world contexts.
Filled with adventure, cultural exploration, and engaging interactive experiences, this unit transforms language learning into an unforgettable journey of teamwork, creativity, and authentic kōrero.
Digital Escape Room
Te Whare Māminga
Crack clues, solve puzzles, and unlock the power of te reo Māori in this fast-paced digital escape room experience.
Through teamwork, storytelling, and interactive challenges, ākonga use te reo Māori to complete missions, solve riddles, and communicate naturally in exciting real-world contexts.
Packed with creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving, this unit transforms language learning into an immersive adventure learners won’t want to leave.
Māori Master Chef
Ringa Wera, Ringa Toa
Sizzle, flavour, and fast-paced cooking challenges bring te reo Māori to life in this exciting Māori MasterChef-inspired unit designed to get ākonga learning through creativity, collaboration, and shared kai experiences. Through practical cooking tasks, interactive challenges, and hands-on learning, learners use te reo Māori to describe ingredients, follow instructions, communicate ideas, and present dishes with growing confidence.
As teams cook, compete, and showcase their creations, ākonga strengthen their ability to use authentic and expressive reo Māori in meaningful real-world contexts. Packed with energy, teamwork, and cultural connection, this unit transforms language learning into a vibrant culinary experience where communication, creativity, and manaakitanga sit at the heart of every challenge.
Māori Food Truck
Waka Ō Te Rourou Iti
Bold ideas, creative branding, and mouth-watering menus come together in this exciting te reo Māori unit where ākonga design and promote their own Māori-inspired food truck experience.
Through themes of kai, entrepreneurship, hospitality, and teamwork, learners use practical and expressive te reo Māori to describe flavours, share opinions, interact with customers, and present their creative ideas with confidence.
As menus, logos, truck concepts, and promotional campaigns come to life, ākonga strengthen their communication skills through collaborative challenges, role-play, and hands-on design experiences. Packed with creativity, innovation, and authentic real-world learning, this unit transforms te reo Māori into a dynamic language of business, culture, connection, and imagination.
On Air in Te Reo Māori
Paki Pāpāho
Microphones on, stories ready, and voices amplified — this exciting te reo Māori unit invites ākonga into the world of podcasting, storytelling, and digital media creation. Through interviews, pūrākau, reflections, and contemporary kōrero, learners build confidence using expressive and authentic te reo Māori to inform, entertain, and connect with others through their own unique voice.
As scripts, sound effects, and creative podcast episodes come to life, ākonga strengthen their oral language skills through collaboration, storytelling, and real-world communication experiences. Packed with creativity, digital design, and meaningful cultural connection, this unit transforms te reo Māori into a living language of expression, identity, and powerful storytelling for a new generation of Māori content creators.
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MĀ NGĀ tūākana
senior te reo māori resources
Aligned to senior secondary and NCEA expectations, these resources deepen language accuracy, fluency and critical thinking. Learners engage with rich kaupapa and advanced structures that strengthen both academic achievement and cultural understanding.
Our Senior Te Reo Māori units are carefully aligned to Te Arawhata Reo Māori and NCEA achievement standards. They revisit and strengthen foundational sentence structures while extending grammar, accuracy and fluency through thematically rich and relevant kaupapa.
te taumata tuatahi o ncea
ncea level 1 te reo māori
Our Level 1 NCEA Te Reo Māori resources are designed to support the development of confident, culturally grounded speakers of te reo Māori.
Guided by the principles of Te Tika o te Reo, Te Rere o te Reo, Te Māori o te Reo, and Te Ora o te Reo, these resources help students strengthen their language accuracy, fluency, cultural understanding, and contribution to language revitalisation.
Through engaging, scaffolded activities across listening, speaking, reading, and writing, our resources empower learners to grow their confidence in te reo Māori while deepening their connection to te ao Māori.
Level 1 Grammar Progression
Te Pūtake o Te Reo
Ko te reo te tūāpapa o te whakaaro.
Language is explored as a system that shapes meaning and connection. Ākonga develop an understanding of te reo Māori by constructing and applying simple sentence structures within authentic, teenage contexts.
Aligned to the Arawhata Reo progression, this unit provides a strong foundation in key grammatical structures and is designed to prepare learners for success at NCEA Level 1.
A Place to Connect
Tōku Āhuru Mōwai
He kokonga whare e kitea, he kokonga ngākau e kore e kitea.
Belonging is explored as both place and feeling. Ākonga examine the spaces, relationships, and experiences that shape identity, using te reo Māori to describe, reflect, and connect.
Through storytelling and shared narratives, they strengthen expressive fluency while deepening their understanding of manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga as foundations of connection.
Language In Motion
Kia Hihiri Te Reo
Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori.
Language is explored as something to be lived, shared, and experienced in authentic contexts. Ākonga use te reo Māori to describe, instruct, compare, and express ideas with confidence and creativity.
Through dynamic projects such as podcasts, digital storytelling, and real-world communication, they strengthen fluency while recognising that te reo thrives when it is active and alive.
Where Knowledge Lives
Taku Whare Wānanga
Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōnā te ao.
Learning is explored as nourishment for both mind and spirit. Ākonga reflect on their journeys, relationships, and milestones, using te reo Māori to recount experiences and express aspirations.
Through inquiry and purposeful communication, they strengthen fluency while developing perseverance, organisation, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
te taumata tuarua o ncea
ncea level 2 te reo māori
Our Level 2 NCEA Te Reo Māori resources are designed to extend students beyond foundational communication and into more confident, expressive, and culturally informed use of te reo Māori.
Aligned with the Level 2 achievement standards and curriculum expectations, these resources support learners to communicate ideas, opinions, and perspectives with increasing depth, accuracy, and fluency across a range of contexts.
Ākonga are encouraged to engage critically with kaupapa connected to identity, te ao Māori, and language revitalisation while strengthening their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
Through scaffolded tasks, authentic contexts, and culturally grounded learning experiences, our resources help prepare learners to use te reo Māori with greater independence, sophistication, and confidence.
Taku Tūrangawaewae
He Kākano Ahau
Hokia ki ō maunga, kia purea ai koe e ngā hau a Tāwhirimātea.
Whakapapa and connection to place ground this exploration of identity. Ākonga investigate ancestral narratives, landscapes, and lived histories, using te reo Māori to recount events and express perspective.
Through research, creative writing, and oral storytelling, they strengthen expressive and formal fluency while recognising themselves as carriers of heritage and story.
Māori Leadership
Taku Manutaki
Mā pango, mā whero, ka oti ai te mahi.
Leadership is explored as collective strength grounded in Māori values and lived example. Ākonga examine the lives and legacies of influential Māori leaders, past and present, using te reo Māori to describe leadership qualities, express informed opinions, and articulate aspirations.
Through discussion and reflection, they strengthen fluency while understanding leadership as service and responsibility.
Māori Innovation and Business
E Pao, Torea!
Ko te pae tawhiti, whāia kia tata; ko te pae tata, whakamaua kia tina.
Innovation and enterprise are explored through the lens of te ao Māori. Ākonga examine Māori business models and contemporary entrepreneurship, using te reo Māori to analyse ideas, propose solutions, and present ventures.
Through collaborative design challenges and strategic thinking, they strengthen persuasive fluency while grounding innovation in tikanga and collective responsibility.
A Look to the Future
Te Pae Tawhiti
Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei.
Aspirations and future pathways sit at the heart of this unit. Ākonga explore goals, challenges, and opportunities, using te reo Māori to express intentions, seek advice, and reflect on direction.
Through authentic tasks and personal planning, they strengthen fluency while connecting ambition with identity, purpose, and long-term vision.
Youth Wellbeing & Advocacy
He Kōteo Mau Kupenga
Ka pū te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi.
Contemporary youth issues are explored as opportunities for leadership and change. Ākonga examine challenges facing rangatahi, using te reo Māori to debate perspectives, offer advice, and advocate for solutions.
Through discussion, campaign design, and persuasive communication, they strengthen fluency while grounding their leadership in tikanga Māori values.
te taumata tuatoru o ncea
ncea level 3 te reo māori
Our Level 3 NCEA Te Reo Māori resources are designed to support advanced learners to communicate with confidence, cultural depth, and increasing sophistication in te reo Māori.
At this level, ākonga are encouraged to analyse, interpret, debate, and express complex ideas and perspectives across a range of authentic contexts while demonstrating strong language accuracy, fluency, and cultural integrity.
Our resources foster deeper engagement with te ao Māori, critical thinking, and the revitalisation of te reo Māori through meaningful and relevant kaupapa. Through rich learning experiences, scaffolded assessments, and authentic language tasks, students are supported to become confident bilingual communicators who can contribute positively to the future of te reo Māori and Māori communities.
Social Issues & Sustainability
Te Ao Hurihuri
Toitū te mana, toitū te whenua, toitū te tangata.
Social, political, and environmental issues are explored as interconnected responsibilities within Aotearoa and beyond. Ākonga examine how decisions impact people and the planet, using advanced te reo Māori to analyse perspectives, debate solutions, and advocate for change.
Through inquiry, discussion, and campaign design, they strengthen persuasive fluency while grounding their thinking in kaitiakitanga, rangatiratanga, and collective wellbeing.
Māori and Media
Pāpāhotia te Reo
Ko te reo te take – kia rangona, kia kitea, kia whakamānawatia!
Media and representation are explored as powerful sites of identity and influence. Ākonga examine how Māori voices are portrayed across platforms, using te reo Māori to analyse narratives and create authentic content.
Through research, production, and critical reflection, they strengthen persuasive fluency while shaping stories that inform, challenge, and inspire.
Our Living Language
Tōku Māpihi Maurea
Ko tōku reo, tōku mapihi maurea
The revitalisation of te reo Māori is explored as a living expression of identity and resilience. Ākonga examine historical movements and contemporary initiatives, using advanced reo to analyse, debate, and advocate.
Through critical inquiry and expressive communication, they strengthen fluency while recognising their role in sustaining the language’s vitality.
Māori and Politics
Taku Patu, Taku Mana Māori Motuhake
Ko te amorangi ki mua, ko te hāpai ō ki muri.
Political participation and leadership are explored as both vision and action. Ākonga examine the history of Māori activism and representation, recognising how past movements shape present realities.
Using advanced te reo Māori, they analyse perspectives, develop arguments, and articulate positions. Through research, debate, and inquiry, they strengthen fluency while understanding language as a tool for collective change.
āheinga reo
grammar te reo māori units
Clear, practical grammar units that break down key sentence types and language patterns in te reo Māori. Designed to strengthen accuracy and fluency, these resources support both kaiako and learners to use the reo with confidence.
Through scaffolded explanations, guided practice and applied tasks, learners move beyond surface understanding to confidently construct and use language in meaningful contexts.
WHAKAMĀRAMATANGA
About Our Resources
WHAKAMĀRAMATANGA
About Our Resources
Poutawa resources are specifically designed to support the teaching and learning of junior te reo Māori in alignment with Te Aho Arataki Marau mō te Ako i Te Reo Māori – Kura Auraki, Te Ara Whanake, and the New Zealand Curriculum principles and key competencies.
Our programmes are carefully scaffolded to help learners progressively build confidence across all language modes — whakarongo (listening), kōrero (speaking), pānui (reading), tuhituhi (writing), and mātakitaki (viewing and presenting) — while developing meaningful cultural understanding alongside language acquisition.
Each resource package is developed with a strong focus on communicative and task-based learning approaches that reflect best practice in second-language acquisition. Lessons are structured to provide clear progression through language functions, sentence patterns, vocabulary development, pronunciation, and authentic language use. Our units are aligned to curriculum achievement objectives and proficiency outcomes, supporting kaiako to confidently deliver programmes that are both curriculum-rich and highly engaging for learners at Years 7–10.
Poutawa resources are designed to make implementation easy and sustainable for schools and teachers. Every unit includes comprehensive teaching materials such as lesson slides, interactive activities, student workbooks, games, assessments, teacher guidance, and digital learning opportunities. This reduces planning workload while ensuring consistency, quality, and strong curriculum alignment across programmes. Our resources are flexible enough to support a range of learner needs and classroom contexts, making them suitable for both specialist and non-specialist kaiako.
A key strength of our resources is the integration of te reo Māori with mātauranga Māori, tikanga, identity, localised learning, and culturally responsive pedagogy. Rather than teaching language in isolation, our units encourage learners to connect language with real-life contexts, stories, values, histories, and experiences that are meaningful to Aotearoa and to young people today. This supports deeper engagement and helps learners develop not only linguistic confidence, but also cultural understanding and appreciation.
At Poutawa, we believe effective te reo Māori resources should be innovative, practical, visually engaging, and grounded in the aspirations of language revitalisation. Our programmes are developed by experienced Māori educators and curriculum specialists who understand both the curriculum requirements and the realities of classroom teaching. The result is a suite of future-focused resources that support schools to deliver high-quality te reo Māori programmes with confidence, authenticity, and impact.