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

Include hapū, iwi, and tangata whenua 

Techniques, tikanga, and kupu for tākaro ā-ringa vary between hapū and iwi. Acknowledging tangata whenua and learning popular tākaro ā-ringa from your area can begin with conversations and partnerships with ākonga and whānau who bring expertise to the classroom. If you have no Māori whānau, or hapū or iwi connections within your school, seek introductions to Māori communities through Kāhui Ako (school networks) or talk to the Strategic Advisor Māori at your regional Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga The Ministry of Education office.

Whakapapa 

Tākaro a-ringa play an integral part in the development of physical attributes such as hand-eye coordination. Traditionally, the arts of pleasure were attributed to Raukatauri and Raukatamea. Attributing games and pastimes to hautupua (legendary characters) explained the origins of these amusements. The season when recreational games and pastimes were often played was just after the crops were harvested and stored. During this harvest festival, Māori gave themselves over to ngā mahi ā te rēhia, a te harikoa – the arts of pleasure and of joyfulness. There are many traditional pastimes that strengthen physical and mental agility. Some examples are hipitoitoi, hei tama tū tama, and whakaropiropi ai. 

Te reo Māori and tikanga Māori

Games such as those in the "Tākaro ā-ringa - Hand games" collection offer an opportunity to use te reo Māori and appreciate tikanga Māori. For te reo Māori to thrive, all New Zealanders are encouraged to use it and include Māori cultural practices. Te reo Māori is an intrinsic part of tākaro.  Encourage ākonga to use te reo Māori to describe players, places, and movements. In these game contexts, we can use te reo Māori such as: 

• hei tama tū tama – a hand game 
• hipitoitoi – a hand game 
• ngā mahi a te rēhia – games and pastimes 
• tākaro ā-ringa – hand games 
• karawhiua - pass 
• taki noho/e noho - asking ākonga to sit 
• taki tū/e tū - asking ākonga to stand 
• whakarongo - listen 

Activities

See below for all resources in the activity collection, “Tākaro ā-ringa - Hand games".

Hipitoitoi
Whakaropiropi ai 
Te tūhura tikanga - Exploring tikanga
Hei tama tū tama