Hei tama tū tama
This activity resource, from "Tākaro ā-ringa - Hand games", is part of the resource collection Te Ao Kori.
About this resource
This activity resource has instructions that help kaiako support ākonga in playing hei tama tū tama, practising safe and fair play practices, and identifying and comparing ways that playing games competitively can impact friendship.
Kaiako can adapt and develop activities from the "Tākaro ā-ringa - Hand games" (years 1–8), which is part of the resource collection, Te Ao Kori, to meet the identified learning needs of ākonga.
Hei tama tū tama
Explore the resource collection, Te Ao Kori
This activity resource from "Tākaro ā-ringa - Hand games", is part of the resource collection Te Ao Kori.
Tākaro ā-ringa - Hand games collection
Background information
Te Ao Kori collection
Tātaiako cultural competencies for teachers of Māori learners
Intended outcomes
Ākonga can:
- play hei tama tū tama and identify what made the experience enjoyable
- apply rules to tākaro ā-ringa, and demonstrate safe and fair play practices
- identify and compare ways that playing tākaro ā-ringa competitively can affect friendships.
Suggested approach
Hei tama tū tama, like many early games, encourages mental dexterity. Although winning is important, it is the way in which competitors win that is the focus. The cheeky cajoling, the smile, and the grimace to put your opponent off are all part of the game. This is part of ako; games are always supportive.
Hei tama tū tama is played using the upper body, arms, and hands, ensuring a balanced position.
Positions
- hands on hips
- both forearms raised, fists clenched, and elbows to the side
- right forearm raised with clenched fist, left hand on hip
- left forearm raised with clenched fist, right hand on hip
Rules
- The defender begins the game by calling "Hei tama tū tama" and places their hands in one of the four positions described above.
- The challenger replies with "Hei tama tū tama" and does a different action.
- When one player catches the other doing the same action, that player calls "Hei tama tū tama rā!" and scores a point.
- The winner of the point then restarts the set by saying, "Tahi. Hei tama tū tama", and play continues until a player is caught out again.
- Each time a player scores a point, they restart the set by saying the number of points they now have followed by "Hei tama tū tama."
- The game continues until one player reaches ten points, which completes the set.
Level 2
Ākonga play hei tama tū tama in pairs, then form teams of four and play the game as a round robin. Winners will be established within the group and the group will continue the games to determine rankings: one, two, three, or four.
The class then splits into new groups based on their rankings of ones, twos, threes, and fours and plays the game as a round robin again. The class will decide at what stage their games will end; for example, with a group winner or a class winner.
In their second set of groups, ākonga discuss and determine the tactics and dynamics of the game, what it takes to win, what it takes to outsmart an opponent, and how they feel when they win and/or lose.