Make Your Own Whare Tapa Whā

We all love Sir Mason Durie's Whare Tapa Whā and the way it encapsulates hauora from our specific Aotearoa view - well, this is all about keeping Whare Tapa Whā actionable. It's especially good for tamariki who haven't grasped the concept of Whare Tapa Whā yet - the 'doing something' pertaining to each pou is going to help.

Print the Whare Tapa Whā template directly onto either A4 or A3 cardboard. But if you're feeling super organised you might ask tamariki to bring a cereal box from home, or do this as a part of home-learning. To make the cardboard box version head to Sparklers at Home here.

• Tamariki can colour and decorate their Whare Tapa Whā and follow the instructions to 'build' the model.
• Cut out strips of paper, cardboard or use craft supplies such as iceblock sticks and ask tamariki to write examples of what they can do to support each pou.
• Tamariki can colour-code ideas for each pou so, for example, they make each Taha Whānau strip or stick blue. The ideas might pertain to school or home.
• Fill Whare Tapa Whā with all the ideas!
• When tamariki feel bored, or need a boost, they can pull out an idea from their whare! And they can add new ideas to it all the time!

Once tamariki have created their, a great way to introduce some ideas tamariki could try, and which enhance their overall wellbeing is by using our Whare Tapa Whā growth mindset slides or Seesaw activities:

• Taha hinengaro - mental and emotional health
• Taha tinana - physical health
• Whenua - connection to the land and place
• Taha whānau - family, friendship and community health
• Taha wairua - spiritual health

Use this activity alongside Tuputupu or Fill My Whare Tapa Whā

Sir Mason Durie, who's mahi acts as inspiration for all we do.