Connections: looking deeper

Wetlands are rich in biodiversity. They are the ‘in between’ places that connect the water with the land, providing habitats for native plants, invertebrates, fish and birds.

Repo are also rich in Māori cultural practices, providing mahinga kai, medicinal plants for rongoā, material for weaving, a reservoir for mātauranga and more.

After looking at the concept of connections, choose an aspect or issue that students wish to pursue. Focusing on one issue at a time allows for deeper learning and understanding. It can also lead to a more achievable action or actions.

This step develops thinking skills and information gathering to delve more deeply into the topic. It supports the science capabilities ‘Gather and interpret data’, ‘Use evidence’ and ‘Critique evidence’.

Resources

• Cultural indicators for repo – article

• Ruru and repo restoration – article

• Monitoring kōura – article

• Whitebait – article

• Longfin eels – article

• Longfin eel – on a path to extinction? – article

• Wetland plants – article

• Wetland animals – article

• Wetlands – the river’s kidneys

• Estuaries – a context for learning

• Wetland (repo) connections – ecological and cultural perspectives – activity

• Building a tau kōura – activity

Questions to consider

• What is the issue we wish to learn about?

• Where does the issue occur?

• What causes the issue to happen?

• Who does the issue involve?

• How does this issue affect wellbeing?

• How does this issue affect the concept of te ao mārama (interconnections)?

• What resources do we need to learn about the issue?

• What other information might we need?

• Where can we find this information?

• What knowledge can we gain from local iwi as mātauranga Māori or from the local or regional council?

Acknowledgement: Makomako and raurēkau, Te Kawa Robb; kūmarahou, Jamie Watson; koromiko, Alfred Lex. All released under CC BY-NC 2.0. Compilation © Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research