🧠 Part 1: Brainstorming & Planning

1. What does learning Te Reo Māori mean to you? Tick all that apply:

Learning about New Zealand culture

Connecting with Māori heritage

Understanding our country's history

Learning a new language

Showing respect for tangata whenua

2. What is your main opinion about learning Te Reo Māori? Choose one:

It's very important for all New Zealanders

It's interesting and fun to learn

It helps me understand my country better

It's challenging but rewarding

3. Brainstorm three reasons to support your opinion:

Reason 1: _________________________________________________

Reason 2: _________________________________________________

Reason 3: _________________________________________________

4. Te Reo Māori vocabulary bank - Use these words in your essay:

Te reo Māori (the Māori language) • tangata whenua (people of the land) • whakapapa (genealogy/connections) • mana (power/respect) • tikanga (customs) • whakatōhea (to encourage) • ako (to learn/teach) • whānau (family)

✏️ Part 2: Essay Structure & Sentence Starters

5. Introduction paragraph - Choose your opening sentence:

"Te reo Māori is an important part of New Zealand's identity because..."

"Learning Te reo Māori has taught me that..."

"In my opinion, every New Zealander should learn Te reo Māori because..."

"Te reo Māori is more than just a language - it is..."

6. Body paragraph sentence starters - Use these to express your opinions:

• "I believe that..." • "In my view..." • "It is clear that..." • "Furthermore..." • "Most importantly..." • "For example..." • "This shows that..." • "As a result..."

7. Plan your essay structure:

Introduction: State your main opinion about learning Te reo Māori

Body Paragraph 1: First reason with example

Body Paragraph 2: Second reason with example

Conclusion: Restate your opinion and why it matters