Learn about classification in a new way!  

There is so much we can learn about te taiao (the natural world) from indigenous knowledge systems like whakapapa. Students will take a walk-through Te Wao Nui and observe some of our unique NZ species with a Zoo educator.  

Together, students of all ages will discover how a variety of living things are classified in te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) and how we are all connected!

Journey through the different habitats in Te Wao Nui that represent different ecosystems of Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Observe the adaptations of our unique Aotearoa New Zealand species, discuss how these adaptations help us classify them and their role in the ecosystem. 

Explore how mātauranga Māori is a large part of the animals’ origins through learning the whakapapa system of classification. Ākonga will observe te taiao (the natural world) and find commonalities between different living things!  

Be inspired and encouraged to take conservation action in your own backyard and to learn more about the interconnectedness of the world around us!  

Sessions with a Zoo Educator will last for approx. 45 minutes. Outside this time you are free to explore the Zoo. Most schools plan to arrive for 9:30am opening and leave by 2:00pm.

Year 0-4

  • Name and identify Ranginui and Papatūānuku
  • Name and identify some of the sons of Ranginui and Papatūānuku
  • Understand that different atua are kaitiaki of different habitats around Aotearoa 

Year 5-8

  • Name and identify Ranginui and Papatūānuku
  • Name and identify some of the sons of Ranginui and Papatūānuku
  • Understand that different atua are kaitiaki of different habitats around Aotearoa 
  • Understand the concept of whakapapa and interconnectedness of te taiao
  • Describe the whakapapa of more than one native NZ species
  • Identify and explain one or more pūrākau associated with conservation in Aotearoa

Science - Nature of Science

  • Understanding about science L1-2: Appreciate that scientists ask questions about our world that lead to investigations and that open-mindedness is important because there may be more than one explanation.
  • Understanding about Science, Investigating in Science, Communicating in Science.

Science - Living World

  • Ecology – L1-2: Recognise that living things are suited to their particular habitat.
  • Evolution L1-2: Recognise that there are lots of different living things in the world and that they can be grouped in different ways.
  • Evolution L3: Begin to group plants, animals and other living things into science-based classifications.
  • Life Processes L1-2: Recognise that all living things have certain requirements so they can stay alive.
  • Life Processes L3: Recognise that there are life processes common to all living things and that these occur in different ways.

Social Science

  • Social Studies L1: Understand how places in New Zealand are significant for individuals and groups. Understand how the cultures of people in New Zealand are expressed in their daily lives.
  • Social Studies L2: Understand how cultural practices reflect and express people’s customs, traditions, and values. Understand how places influence people and people influence places. Understand how the status of Māori as tangata whenua is significant for communities in New Zealand.
  • Social Studies L3: Understand how cultural practices vary but reflect similar purposes. Understand how people view and use places differently. Understand how people make decisions about access to and use of resources. Understand how people remember and record the past in different ways. Understand how early Polynesian and British migrations to New Zealand have continuing significance for tangata whenua and communities.
  • Social Studies L4: Understand how people pass on and sustain culture and heritage for different reasons and that this has consequences for people. Understand that events have causes and effects.
  • Social Studies L5: Understand how the Treaty of Waitangi is responded to differently by people in different times and places. Understand how cultural interaction impacts on cultures and societies. Understand how people’s management of resources impacts on environmental and social sustainability. Understand how the ideas and actions of people in the past have had a significant impact on people’s lives.
  • Social Studies L8: Understand how ideologies shape society and that individuals and groups respond differently to these beliefs.

History

  • L6: Understand how the causes and consequences of past events that are of significance to New Zealanders shape the lives of people and society. Understand how people’s perspectives on past events that are of significance to New Zealanders differ.
  • L7: Understand how people’s interpretations of events that are of significance to New Zealanders differ.
  • L8: Understand that the causes, consequences, and explanations of historical events that are of significance to New Zealanders are complex and how and why they are contested.

Geography

  • L6: Understand how people interact with natural and cultural environments and that this interaction has consequences.
  • L7: Understand how people’s perceptions of and interactions with natural and cultural environments differ and have changed over time.
  • L8: Understand how people’s diverse values and perceptions influence the environmental, social, and economic decisions and responses that they make.

Learning Languages

  • Communication L1-2: Managing self and relating to others. Produce and respond to questions and requests.
  • Communication L3: Participating and contributing in communities. Use cultural knowledge to communicate appropriately.
  • Communication L4: Use cultural knowledge to communicate appropriately.
  • Participating and contributing in communities L1-2: Show social awareness when interacting with others.
  • Language knowledge L1-2: Recognise that the target language is organised in particular ways. Make connections with their own language(s).
  • Cultural knowledge L1-2: Recognise that the target culture(s) is (are) organised in particular ways. Make connections with known culture(s).
  • Cultural knowledge L3: Students will recognise and describe ways in which the target culture(s) is (are) organised. Compare and contrast cultural practices.
  • Cultural knowledge L4: Recognise and describe ways in which the target culture(s) is (are) organised. Compare and contrast cultural practices.
  • Cultural knowledge L5-6: Understand ways in which the target culture(s) is (are) organised for different purposes.
  • Cultural knowledge L7-8: Students will analyse ways in which the target culture(s) is (are) organised for different purposes and for different audiences. Analyse how the use of the target language expresses cultural meanings.

We welcome teachers to pre-visit before their session.

Book a pre-visit here.

Email: conservationlearning@aucklandzoo.co.nz
(09) 360 3817
Please read our Extended FAQs before getting in touch

Video

The Legend of Māui and Tīeke!

Listen to the story of Māui and Tīeke!