With Sea week just around the corner, let's chat about how best to support our tamariki in becoming kaitiaki o te moana, guardians of our oceans and all that is within them!
What is Kaitiakitanga? Kaitiakitanga is a fundamental concept in te ao Māori, deeply rooted in the values of guardianship, care, and respect for the natural world. Derived from the word kaitiaki (guardian), this concept refers to the responsibility we have to protect and sustain the environment for future generations. This relationship isn’t about ownership—it’s about reciprocity. Humans and nature are interconnected, and the health of one impacts the other.
For our tamariki, learning about kaitiakitanga can ignite a lifelong passion for protecting the environment, especially te moana (the ocean). Aotearoa is surrounded by water, and the sea plays a vital role in our lives, whether as a source of kai, recreation, or connection to whakapapa.
Tamariki are natural learners with a deep sense of curiosity and empathy and through fostering their understanding of kaitiakitanga, we empower them to take meaningful actions that contribute to the protection of our ecosystems.
But, this isn’t just about science; it’s about weaving values, culture, and creativity into learning. Teaching tamariki to respect the ocean encourages them to think critically about their impact on te taiao (the environment) and embrace sustainable practices.
Explore marine life and the rich biodiversity of our oceans. Encourage tamariki to observe, ask questions, and reflect on the importance of protecting our sea creatures.
Promote an awareness of keeping our beaches clean. Ideas such as organising a beach cleanup with your whānau or local community. Talk with tamariki about how removing litter helps protect marine life and keeps te moana clean
Model sustainable practices. Show tamariki how to reduce plastic use, recycle, and make eco-friendly choices at home and school. Leading by example helps them form lasting habits.
Learn and share stories and waiata. Share pūrākau (stories) about the sea and its guardians in Māori mythology. These narratives can instill a sense of wonder and a connection to the ocean.
At TeacherTalk, we’re passionate about supporting educators and whānau with resources that make learning meaningful and fun. Our Ki Roto i te Moana pouaka rauemi is designed to help you teach tamariki about the importance of ocean conservation through hands-on activities, storytelling, and more.
At TeacherTalk you can also find waiata, art ideas, games, pūrakau and pukapuka to inspire our tamariki to embrace their role as kaitiaki moana! Discover how our TeacherTalk rauemi can support kaiako, and inspire tamariki to embrace their role as kaitiaki moana!
Encouraging tamariki to care for the ocean isn’t just a lesson; it’s a journey. Through kaitiakitanga, we can instill a sense of pride, responsibility, and interconnectedness. When tamariki learn to protect te taiao me ngā moana, they’re also learning to protect their futures—and the futures of all living things.
Toitū te marae o Tane, toitū te marae o Tangaroa, toitū te iwi
If the land is well, and the sea is well, the people will thrive*
*Whakatauki sourced from Afoa, E., & Brockbank, T. (2019). Te Ao Māori & Water Sensitive Urban Design.
