Tāonga Trade Game

Whāinga ako: Lesson Goals

Understand how resources, geography, and relationships influenced Māori trade networks and alliances in traditional Aotearoa.

Iwi – tribe

Taonga – treasure

Tikanga – correct customs or ways of doing things

How does this game work?

Your group will be an iwi from early Aotearoa. Each iwi had access to different resources and were trading to survive (as well as fighting but we are just trading today).

Each round the teacher will tell you what you need to achieve to survive and what it will cost you in resources e.g. have a meal = 2 x kai moana 

If you do not have this resource you will have to trade for it. If you do have it, you need to consider building up other resources because you do not know what will happen next!

If you achieve the round goal you will be awarded points. 

Remember, if you do not get points on a round it might not matter- you might be the owner of a necessary resource for the next round!

There will also be points for the number of resources held at the end of the game.

Teacher: you will need to track iwi points.

Reflection | Huritao

Which iwi were most powerful or successful in trading?
There was one group that had an advantage, why was that?

What was the hardest decision your group had to make? 

Did any trade feel strategic or unfair?

What does this game show us about how relationships might have worked in early Aotearoa?