Explore our new resources showcasing the unique animals of Aotearoa – underpinned by mātauranga Māori and science – and supported by free PLD. This pānui also features our Bird of the Year favourite, free NZAPSE PLD and upcoming events.
Animals of Aotearoa
We've new resources, authored by Professor Georgina Tuari Stewart and Dr Sally Birdsall, that provide a sampling of Māori knowledge of animal species indigenous to Aotearoa.
Carved wooden kurī
Carved from kānuka, this small wooden figure of a kurī was found at Moncks Cave on the Banks Peninsula. The carving depicts the dog’s upwardly-curved tail – a characteristic of the species.
This ancient taonga is a rare example of a carved wooden ornament.
Image details: Pendant: Kurī, Polynesian dog, Monck's Cave, Te Rae Kura. Canterbury Museum E158.356.
Māori knowledge of animals
The article Māori knowledge of animals introduces this latest suite of resources. Mātauranga Māori about animals known to tūpuna is presented in six groupings. Kurī and kiore were purposely brought to Aotearoa, while the other groupings are based on whakapapa.
Additional information is held in two illustrated interactives:
Reo Māori versions of the materials are available as PDFs. These are designed to support teaching and learning of pūtaiao in Māori medium classrooms.
- Te mātauranga Māori mō ngā kararehe | Māori knowledge of the Animals of Aotearoa (bilingual)
- Pukapuka ākonga – Te mātauranga Māori mō ngā kararehe (te reo Māori)
Science Learning Hub (SLH) student activities are literacy rich – using information from the articles and interactives:
- Māori knowledge of animals – local contexts
- Māori knowledge of animals – comprehending texts
- Māori knowledge of animals – crossword puzzles
- Māori knowledge of animals – provocative questions
Free PLD – Animals of Aotearoa
Join our webinar as resource authors Professor Georgina Tuari Stewart (Ngāti Kura, Ngāpuhi-nui-tonu, Pare Hauraki) and Dr Sally Birdsall introduce the materials and delve into their relevance in science teaching and learning. There will be time for questions and attendees are welcome to use te reo Māori during the webinar.
- Date: 19 September, 4:00–4:45 pm
Our next newsletter will highlight a second suite of resources developed by Georgina and Sally, which explore Māori concepts for animal ethics. The webinar for this suite will be on 24 October.
Bird of the Year 2024
It’s that time again – Bird of the Year 2024! This year, we’re throwing our support behind the magnificent toroa/albatross. Toroa – our giants of the skies explains their amazing adaptations for life at sea and includes pūrākau and other stories. Get a wee look at these majestic birds in this video. The competition closes on 15 September so vote today!
NZASE Primary Science workshop
New Zealand Association of Primary Science Educators is offering a free online workshop with a focus on providing simple and effective ways of using science contexts and activities to bring literacy learning to life. The activities shared will draw on New Zealand contexts that provide multiple opportunities for exploring the science capabilities.
- Date: 18 September, 2:00–4:00 pm
- Register at: https://forms.gle/Z3bJrXisdAecvL5c7.
Some things to think about
Keep these on your planning radar:
- September is Bee Aware Month
- Te Puiaki Kaipūtaiao Ānamata The Prime Minister’s Future Scientist Prize – for year 12–13 school tauira/students
- Prime Minister’s Space Prizes – for year 12–13 school tauira/students and professionals
- The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes 2024 – for teachers, scientists and science communicators.
Check out our Spring holiday event listing for a wide range of things to do across the motu. If you know of events we have missed, please do get in touch: enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
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Your feedback
We hope you enjoy using the Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao in your teaching and would love to hear from you. Your comments, ideas and feedback can be emailed to enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
Noho ora mai
Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao
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