Ocean stewardship & taking action

In Aotearoa New Zealand we have a unique and strong connection to the sea. Our whenua [land] was fished from the sea [by Maui] and many of our tūpuna [ancestors] were fishing folk.  We are an island nation so most of us live near the sea!  So how do you value, view and connect with Tangaroa, the sea?

Focus Questions:

How do I feel connected with the sea and coast?

How do different people value and use the sea and coast differently

What different viewpoints do people hold about the sea and use of ocean resources? What is my viewpoint?

What is my role in kaitiakitanga of the ocean?

Learning outcomes:

Develop a sense of connectedness and tūrangawaewae with sea and coast

Understand that different people value and use the sea and coast differently

Explore different viewpoints people have about the sea and use of ocean resources

Understand the reciprocal nature of kaitiakitanga (i.e. that the ocean will sustain us but only if we look after it)

Use specialised words and terms in relation to ocean sustainability

Materials:

CONNECTION WITH TANGAROA SLIDE SET

Connection with ocean OUTLINE

Access to internet

Something to write with

Blue tack (or similar) and white board or wall

Mobile device with camera and cardboard camera application

Value statement cards

Activities include:

CONSIDER our connection to the ocean through whakapapa, actions and kai (food)

EXPLORE our unique Aotearoa relationship with the sea

WATCH the film clip Ko au te taha Moana. Ko te taha moana ko au

CREATE a poem, waiata or picture of the sea

DISCUSS a taonga o Tangaroa

WRITE about how your whānau (family) and tūpuna (ancestors) use and value the sea

MAKE a short film or Powtoon like the one posted about Kāpiti by Koro Don sea

EXPLORE the concept of tūrangawaewae and acknowledge the place we are connected to

CREATE a 360 degree view of a coastal place of connection

COLLECT and identify shells from your local beach  

WRITE a story about the animal that lives in your favourite shell

INVESTIGATE another cultures views and relationship with the sea

REVIEW AND REFLECT using group inquiry questions provided

Kaitiakitanga is often understood as guardianship but is also about reciprocity. If we act wisely as kaitiaki then our ocean resources will provide for us and remain healthy for generations to come.

Focus Questions:

What is my role in kaitiakitanga of the ocean?

How do different people value and use the sea and coast differently

What different viewpoints do people hold about the sea and use of ocean resources? What is my viewpoint?

What new words and concepts have we learnt?

Learning Outcomes:

Understand the reciprocal nature of kaitiakitanga (i.e. that the ocean will sustain us but only if we look after it)

Understand that different people value and use the sea and coast differently

Explore different viewpoints people have about the sea and use of ocean resources

Use specialised words and terms in relation to ocean sustainability

Materials:

KAITIAKITANGA & SUSTAINABILITY SLIDE SET

Kaitiakitanga & Sustainability OUTLINE

Copies of Kaitiakitanga Worksheet

Copies of Value card statements

Access to internet

Something to write with

For older learners: Aspects of Sustainability Activity

Activities include:

CONSIDER what we mean by kaitiakitanga and complete the Kaitiakitanga Worksheet

SORT Value statements cards according to what you agree and disagree with

EXPLORE different viewpoints on ocean conservation and the idea of sustainability

INVESTIGATE different aspects of sustainability using the Sustainability Aspects Chart

The final three parts of this topic embody the concept of whakapuāwai. Whakapuāwai can be translated as ‘to cause to blossom, develop, flourish, prosper or thrive’. These three topics are about personal and collaborative actions that we can take to work personally and collectively to help Tangaroa to flourish.

In Aotearoa, we have limits and rules for commercial, customary and recreational fishers. We have the power to play a role in sustainable fishing by ensuring we stick to the rules!

Focus Questions:

What actions can I take to make a difference to the health of the ocean and sustainability of kai moana (seafood) resources?

What new words and concepts have we learnt?

Learning Outcomes:

Investigate personal actions that we can take that make a difference to the health of the ocean and sustainability kai moana (seafood) resources

Use specialised words and terms in relation to ocean sustainability

Materials:

TAKING ACTION FISHING SLIDES 

Taking action fishing OUTLINE

Dead fish or copies of the fish picture

Copies of Customary and recreational fisheries Worksheet

Access to device and internet (for App download)

Something to write with

Activities include:

DISCUSS how rules are set in Aotearoa for recreational fishers and what the rules are regarding selling fish

MEASURE the fork length of a fish!

READ and ANSWER questions about fishing rules using the Customary and recreational fisheries Worksheet

Download the free NZ fishing rules App and check out the latest rules

The final three parts of this topic embody the concept of whakapuāwai. Whakapuāwai can be translated as ‘to cause to blossom, develop, flourish, prosper or thrive’.  These three topics are about personal and collaborative actions that we can take to work personally and collectively to help Tangaroa to flourish.

As consumers we all have power to contribute to change through careful choice around the products we buy!

Focus Questions:

What actions can I take to make a difference to the health of the ocean and sustainability of kai moana (seafood) resources?

What new words and concepts have we learnt

Learning Outcomes:

Investigate personal actions that we can take that make a difference to the health of the ocean and sustainability kai moana (seafood) resources

Use specialised words and terms in relation to ocean sustainability

Materials:

TAKING ACTION CONSUMER CHOICE SLIDE SET

Taking action consumer choice OUTLINE

Computer and graphing programme 

Activities include:

CONSIDER how there are many different viewpoints around consumer choice.

EXPLORE and POSITION yourself on the statement that ‘Consumers have a powerful role to play in influencing the production of goods’

DISCUSS the thinking that goes in to trying to figure out what makes people buy one product over another

INVESTIGATE what motivates me to buy one product over another?

RANK products in order of purchase preference and DISCUSS why have you ranked them in this order

INVESTIGATE the findings of a 2020 survey about consumer choice

CONSIDER what factors motivate you when purchasing kai moana.

RECORD the range of motivators for purchase and graph results

COMPARE findings from your class with those found in a global survey

Use Survey Monkey or a similar platform to SURVEY whānau, friends, members of your school to find out their views on issues related to quality and consumer choice

REVIEW and EXPLORE if your own viewpoint has changed! Why or why not?

The final three parts of this topic embody the concept of whakapuāwai. Whakapuāwai can be translated as ‘to cause to blossom, develop, flourish, prosper or thrive’.  Here we explore and practice taking collaborative action to collectively help Tangaroa to flourish.

Focus Questions:

How can we collaboratively work to plan and carry out an action to help address a marine environmental issue?

What new words and concepts have we learnt

Learning Outcomes:

Identify a sustainability issue to do with the sea and sustainability of kai moana resources and collaboratively work to plan and carry out an action to help address the issue

Use specialised words and terms in relation to ocean sustainability

Materials:

WHAKAPUAWAI COLLABORATIVE ACTION SLIDE SET

Whakapuawai collaborative action OUTLINE

Internet connection (for researching organisations and issues)

Something to write with

Action planning templates (see Teacher outline)

Activities include:

RESEARCH and LIST ten organisations that work to conserve our oceans

LIST issues that are currently affecting our oceans?

SELECT three issues you would like to work on

SHARE and DISCUSS ocean sustainability issues that are of concern to you

CONSIDER and LIST ways you could help make a difference for our oceans?

PLAN a collaborative action for ocean sustainability

CARRY OUT the action

REVIEW and REFLECT