Whio education resource in te reo for Taranaki schools

31 May 2018

A new resource in te reo Māori has been released by the Department of Conservation (DOC) in Taranaki. It looks closely at whio, the very special ducks that live on the rivers and streams of Mounga Taranaki.

Te Whio Mō Ake Tonu Atu was developed by Urenui’s Te Amoroa Clifton who said that this resource was from a Te Ao Māori world view incorporating Māori values, proverbs, stories and karakia. The Taranaki whio programme and stories are highlighted and the resource provides a useful link to Whio Forever, released last year by DOC and Whio Forever partners, Genesis Energy.

Genesis Chief Executive Marc England said it’s a significant milestone in the work being done to ensure this iconic bird is not forgotten. “By learning about the whio in te reo, New Zealand’s tamariki will be challenged to nurture and protect the whio and the many sacred species that coexist in its environment.”

DOC Community Supervisor Mike Tapp said Te Amoroa and the reviewing team have done a great job. “We hope this resource will be a handy tool for those teaching in a Māori medium and all teachers striving to introduce more te reo into their classroom programmes.”

Like the original Whio Forever resource, Te Whio Mō Ake Tonu Atu is available on the DOC website https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/conservation-education/resources/blue-duck-whio-fun-facts-posters/

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