Matching sounds, letters, and meaning in te reo Māori#

At Tau 1, mokopuna are learning to connect sounds and letters (ngā oro me ngā pū) as they begin to read and write in te reo Māori.

They explore how letters, words, and symbols work together to share meaning.

They also learn that language comes in different forms and that each has its own purpose and style. Over time, mokopuna begin to understand how written and spoken reo Māori are connected and alive in their world.

Kia tika#

By the end of their first year, mokopuna can correctly match sounds (phonemes) to letters (graphemes) when reading, and letters to sounds when writing.

They begin to notice short and long vowels such as ‘a’ and ‘ā’, ‘i’ and ‘ī’. They can hear and say digraphs (a combination of 2 sounds) like ‘ng’ and ‘wh’ correctly.

As their confidence grows, they can blend and separate sounds in words. For example, sounding out ‘whare’ as ‘wh’-‘a’-‘r’-‘e’.

Ideas for whānau activities#

Flashcard games – Kēmu kāri

Help mokopuna to build letter-sound awareness with fun flashcard games by:

• using ngā Arapū Māori flashcards (a, e, h, i, k, m, n, ng, o, p, r, t, u, w, wh)
• saying a word like “pene,” then ask “he aha te oro tuatahi o te kupu pene?” (what’s the first sound in the word pene?).

When mokopuna find and hold up the correct letter card (P), celebrate with a pūkana or a high 5!

As an extension, ask mokopuna to say the first and last sounds, then blend them together.

Sound hunt – Kimihia ngā oro

Support mokopuna with sound recognition through everyday items by:

• gathering small items or pictures that begin with different Māori sounds (manu, ngaru, whare, kākā)
• saying a sound like 'm' and then challenge mokopuna to find something that starts with that sound.

Read and write together – Te pānui me te tuhi

Encourage mokopuna with early writing through listening and recording by:

• saying a word (for example, whare) and asking mokopuna to write the first sound or letter they hear (wh)
• using a notebook or whiteboard so they can easily try again.

Strengthen reading skills with sound and word connections by:

• showing a letter or digraph (for example, ng) and asking, "what sound is this?" and "can you think of a word that uses it?"
• making a list together and decorate it with drawings or stickers.

Kia mārama#

Mokopuna can learn that language helps us understand, share, and think. They begin to make sense of what they hear and read by using pictures, predicting, and talking about what they notice.

Ideas for whānau activities#

Exploration – wherawhera

Explore a favourite pukapuka or pakiwaitara in te reo Māori with mokopuna.

Choose a story your whānau loves that is written or told orally. Then:

• read it aloud or look at the pictures together
• pause on each page and kōrero about what is happening
• encourage mokopuna to ask questions about the story.

Take turns asking and answering questions like:

• "He aha te mahi a te kurī?"
• "Nō hea pea te tama?".

Support correct pronunciation by modelling the words clearly and repeating them together. Strengthen sentence structure by giving and following instructions.

Pick a part of the story and get mokopuna to be the 'kaitohutohu'. Make it fun and interactive.

Say:

• "Kia tū koe ki te kuaha."
• "Tangohia te pukapuka, ka noho ai.”

Build thinking and prediction skills by pausing halfway through the story and asking mokopuna, "ki ōu whakaaro, ka aha ināianei?"

Encourage clear reasoning and confident kōrero. Create and describe the world of the story with mokopuna by asking them to draw their favourite part of the story.

You can also ask them to describe it using full sentences starting with:

• "Kei hea te…?" (where is the...?)
• "Ko wai kei reira?" (who is there?)
• "He aha te āhua?" (what is it like?).

Use te reo while drawing, building, or acting out the story.

Encourage mokopuna to explain what they are doing: “Kei te hanga au i tētahi whare nā te mea i noho taku tupuna ki reira.”

Kia arero taiaha#

At Tau 1, mokopuna can begin to communicate clearly, respectfully, and confidently. They practise greetings, farewells, and simple everyday exchanges that build confidence and social understanding.

Through play, listening, and talk, mokopuna discover that language is a way to connect. They start to understand that how we speak shows care and respect, and that different situations call for different ways of speaking.

Ideas for whānau activities#

Greetings and farewells – ngā mihi me ngā poroporoaki

Practise simple greetings (mihi) and farewells (poroporoaki) together:

• "Kia ora, e hoa!" (hello, friend!)
• "Tēnā koe, or tēnā kōrua, or tēnā koutou" (greetings to 1 person, 2 people, or many)
• "Ka kite anō!" (see you again!)
• "Haere rā or e noho rā" (goodbye to someone leaving or staying).

Encourage mokopuna to use these naturally when meeting whānau or teachers.

Kind words – ngā kupu atawhai

Model polite, caring language. He reo whakapai, he reo aroha.

Use expressions like:

• "Tēnā koa" (please)
• "Āe or kāo" (yes or no)
• "Aroha mai or mō taku hē" (sorry)
• "Tino pai tō mahi! (Great job!).

Encourage mokopuna to use these words to show respect and appreciation. "Hei tohu whakaute, hei tohu manaaki".

Taking turns – kōrero mai, kōrero atu

Play turn-taking games that use short phrases like:

• "Ko au ināianei!" (It’s my turn!)
• "Nōu te wā!" (It’s your turn!)
• "Kei te whakarongo au." (I’m listening.).

Talk about what good listening looks like. "He aha te āhua o te āta whakarongo?" Encourage eye contact, quiet waiting, and smiling.

Kia auaha#

At Tau 1, mokopuna can explore te reo Māori through creativity, movement, and play. They learn that language can be used not just to describe, but to express ideas, feelings, and imagination. They begin to perform with confidence, using voice, actions, and facial expressions.

Ideas for whānau activities#

Sing together – waiata ngātahi

Choose simple waiata you both enjoy, such as E Rere Taku Poi or Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi. Sing them slowly, emphasising vowel sounds and clap along to the rhythm.

Ask questions as you sing, such as "he aha te kupu hou i waiatatia e tātou?" (What new word did we sing?).

Act it out – tākaro ā-tūranga

Use short roleplays to act out everyday scenarios in te reo Māori. For example, buying kai at the shop, going to school, or visiting your kuia.

Encourage expressive actions like smiling, gestures, and different voices.

Prompt mokopuna to speak in full sentences. For example, "kei te hoko au i te miraka" (I’m buying milk.).

Create and perform – hanga me te whakaatu

Invite mokopuna to make their own karakia or pūrākau about something they love. This may be a pet, a favourite place, or whānau member. Then perform it together with simple movements and actions.

For example, “He nui te ngaru. Ka piki te tamaiti ki runga i tōna papa eke ngaru!” (The wave is big. The child climbs onto their surfboard!).