Connected 2022 Level 4 – He māpihi maurea | A prized possession
This Level 4 Connected resource explores themes of economic opportunities, cultural redress through Treaty settlements, and mana taonga. It focuses on the cultural and economic significance of pounamu, locations and uses of stone resources in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the mana of a significant taonga pounamu, which is explored through a piece of historical fiction.
At times, Connected themes require the introduction of concepts that students at this curriculum level may not be able to fully understand. What matters at this stage is that students begin to develop understandings that they can grow over time.
Look inside this issue
Trading Taonga: The Story of Pounamu
by Matthew Rout (Ngāi Tahu)
Pounamu is a taonga with deep spiritual significance to Māori. Its beauty, usefulness, and cultural significance made it a highly prized resource that was traded throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. This article explores the pounamu trade from the 1770s through to the present day, discussing the impact of colonisation on the trade of pounamu and how Ngāi Tahu regained kaitiakitanga of pounamu through the Treaty settlement process.
Kōhatu | Stone
This map provides information on significant trade routes in Aotearoa New Zealand, including materials that were traded, where they originated, and the locations of major trading centres.
When the Red Man Came
by Ben Brown (Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Koroki); illustrations by Joseph Qiu
This fictional story is told from the perspective of a kuia as she waits for “The Red Man” to arrive at her kainga. She hopes to seek lasting peace with him through the gift of a precious pounamu. The piece explores the significance of pounamu from a te ao Māori perspective, and includes an explanation of the true events surrounding the story, which is set after the battle of Hīngakākā.
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