The aim of this section of the unit is to explore the evolution of Maori identity in the media from a romanticised colonial ideal to Alan Duff’s stark realist portrayal in the 1990s. It is also to see how the representation of Maori has changed over the years and how that reflects how our society has changed – not just in representation but in who is presenting the representation.
Learning intentions Students are learning to…
- to recognise how the context & creator of the text influences how a group is represented
Success criteria (How do students know they have achieved success?)
I can…
- I can identify & discuss the implications a representation has on its audience.
Relevant Film Archive footage on ON DISK programme
Additional material
Activities
Romanticising the past
Show clip “Sights in New Zealand” twice and answer questions as a class
1. Describe how Maori are depicted in this clip.
Maori are depicted as quite rustic and unsophisticated. They are dressed in European clothing which seems incongruous and out of place
2. Remembering that this is a news reel, why do you think this clip was made? What is its purpose?
It is a news reel although it doesn’t seem to be very newsworthy – it seems to be making a spectacle or curiosity out of its subjects. As if they are objects or artefacts to be observed rather than real people.
3. What are the positive and negative messages of the text?
They seem uncivilised and it feels as though the maker of the text is portraying them in a condescending way
Teacher (or student) records answers on board
Once Were Warriors predictive pre-viewing questions to discuss
How do you think Maori have changed from the days of Sights in New Zealand? What sort of representation of Maori do you expect to see in a film made in 1994? What do you think the Once Were Warriors in the title might refer to?
Show Once Were Warriors in its entirety (optional)
Sharing time post-viewing (thanks to the New Zealand Film Study Guide for Once Were Warriors) where students form two circles of equal numbers. One stands inside facing outward. The outer circle faces inwards. Pairs talk to each other about a given topic for a preset time. One circle moves clockwise after each topic.
Topics may include:
- The most memorable part of the film was…
- The most disturbing part of the film was…
- What surprised me the most was…
- The things I learned were…
Plot it out – students list 8-10 major events in the film
Distribute the events on card which students can put in order then plot on a narrative diagram where the central question, turning points, climax and resolution are identified
Handouts
Plot Sequence Tactile
2.3 Practice Essay Question
