8TWT - Te Whare Tapere (Module)

Aims of the Course:

The Ancient Art of Māori Weaponry and Warfare can be traced to the separation of Ranginui and Papatūānuku and the ensuing war between their children. Due to his fierceness in battle Tūmatauenga (Tū) received many of his names and so became the atua of War.

Many ancient learning schools were formed dedicated to Tū and the art of war and protection. It was in these Whare Wānanga that knowledge was preserved and taught throughout all Iwi and Hapū for thousands of years.

This module serves as an introduction to mau rākau and Te Whare Tū Taua the School of Māori weaponry, starting with the exploration of Tūmatauenga the atua of War.

Topics:

Ngā Kawa o Tū - Protocols of Tū: Learn about the different values and belief systems of Māori and in particular relating to Tūmatauenga the Atua of war.

Ngā Āhuatanga o te Taiaha - Characteristics of the Taiaha: Learn about the whakapapa, origins and history of the taiaha, the most prominent weapon used in Māori warfare.

Ngā Aroaroa Atua - Atua Games: Learn the games our tūpuna Māori used to develop skills for close quarter combat.

Ngā Takahi Rangatū o te Taua - War Party Marchs: Learn to march in unison as a ope taua - war party. 

Assessment:

NB: As this is a module course therefore results will not appear on Student Reports.

Subject and Career Pathways:

Te Whare Tapere is another pathway to acquiring Mātauranga Māori primarily through the art forms of Kapa Haka - Māori Performing Arts and Mau Rākau - Māori Martial Arts and Weaponry. Te Whare Tapere will help to develop understanding of the Māori World while strengthening personal identity, connection to environment, and over all hauora - health and wellbeing. 

Te Whare Tapere will develop skills in performance and skill acquisition for sports and physical activity, while building on knowledge of basic reo Māori and tikanga - protocols and processes to complement other subjects and career pathways in broadcasting, journalism, education, arts, entertainment, business, tourism, hospitality, local and central government, health, languages, sports sports and sports administration, marketing, tourism, management, law, corrections, public speaking, iwi development, volunteering, community services, farming and agriculture, primary industries, Treaty settlements, translating and interpreting services.