Te Awa

Te Awa is designed to deepen students' understanding of the history and geography of rivers in Aotearoa New Zealand and how to protect these precious natural resources for the future.

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How rivers shape the land and people of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Te Awa enables students to deepen their understanding of the critical importance of rivers in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This textbook covers the geography and history of our relationship with rivers, river processes and landforms, tension between competing interests and uses of our rivers, and how to better restore and protect these precious natural resources for the future.

Te Awa draws on contexts from within Aotearoa and across the world, as well as perspectives from communities, iwi, and hapū across the motu. The various contexts covered in Te Awa incorporate key Social Studies skills and the significant learning and concepts from History and Geography.

There are many different types of activities and mahi to help your students explore deeper. These are designed to be accessible for all learners.

Written by Social Studies teachers for the Aotearoa New Zealand classroom

Nick and Rhiannon are experienced Social Science teachers who have always had a passion for creating interesting and engaging resources for the students they have taught.

Te Awa is visually engaging

Te Awa has been designed with many fantastic images of rivers from across the country, detailed diagrams and maps to keep all students engaged. Te Awa is laid out with learning activities throughout each chapter, as well as chapter summary tasks at the end of each chapter.

Accessible for all learners

There are a wide range of accessible activities and learning experiences to allow students to dive deeper.

The final chapter supports student research and helps to progress the learning of students across more complex contents and using examples from their local area.

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Support students in understanding big ideas and key concepts

Each chapter of Te Awa helps students explore and learn big ideas of Social Studies: Māori history, the impact of colonisation, the power of people and groups, the different perspectives they bring, economic activity, the interactions that have changed our place and environment, and the geographic processes relevant to fluvial environments.

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Relevant local contexts

Te Awa draws on stories and perspectives from communities, iwi, and hapū across the motu. It is designed to align with a local curriculum by offering students rich learning experiences close to where their kura/school or home is located. It contains national and regional content that will be relevant to all members of a school community.

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Understanding through a mātauranga Māori lens

Te Awa reflects Aotearoa New Zealand’s heritage by using forms of mātauranga Māori to explore the history and geography of tangata whenua and their relationship with the awa.

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Want to know more about Te Awa?

Book an appointment with our senior Learning consultant Nick Mole to help you learn more about how the Te Awa resource can be used to suit your classroom needs.

Please contact your learning consultant to discuss purchasing options.

Meet your expert author team

Nick Fitness
Rhiannon Fitness

Nick Fitness

Nick Fitness is the Head of Faculty Social Sciences at Woodford House. He has been part of expert panels for the History curriculum realignment. Nick is an experienced classroom teacher and the author of a number of popular History and Social Studies publications.

Rhiannon Fitness

Rhiannon Fitness is a dedicated and passionate educator. She is the Head of Geography and Social Studies at Lindisfarne College in Hawke’s Bay. Her expertise lies in creating engaging and interactive classroom learning.

Coming in 2024

Te Awa Textbook

$34.95

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Te Awa

How rivers shape the land and people of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Stay in the loop about all things Te Awa >>

Take a Tour of Te Awa

Take an Inside Look

Want to know more about Te Awa?

Meet your expert author team

Coming in 2024

Stay in the Loop