The Voyages
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This introduces the Nesian Narrative Voyages and provides an overview of the framework and philosophy. Grounded in the guiding principles of Te Whāriki and Tapasā, the Nesian Narratives toolkit equips kaiako with culturally affirming resources to nurture essential skills in young tamaiti.
Voyage 1: Consent sets the tone for building strong relationships, understanding consent, and recognising the values that guide us. Just as Māui used his wit, resilience, and teamwork to navigate challenges, tamariki will learn how to respect and look after one another on their own journey. Central to this learning is the concept of consent—understanding how to seek permission, listen actively, and ensure that all interactions are based on mutual trust and respect.
During this voyage, tamariki will explore the richness of identity and relationships, gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and others. They will learn about Hawaii’s people, culture, geography, and values, including the Spirit of Aloha, which teaches kindness, respect, and the importance of strong connections within communities. As they uncover their own strengths, passions, and interests, tamariki will develop confidence in who they are, celebrating both their uniqueness and the diversity around them. They will come to see that differences make us special and that embracing them helps foster meaningful relationships.
On this journey, tamariki will explore the strength and uniqueness of families by travelling through Kiribati and meeting Tepa, the frigate bird. Tamariki will discover how families support and care for one another, recognising that love, respect, and shared experiences make each family unit special. They will develop the skills to identify the individuals within their support network—those they can turn to for encouragement, share positive moments with, and seek help when needed. Families, no matter their shape or structure, provide strength and belonging, helping tamariki navigate their own journeys with confidence and connection.
Every journey is a chance to learn and grow, and in this space, tamariki will explore the Cook Islands through the legend of Ru. Tamariki will develop important skills for building friendships—learning to communicate, share, and express emotions in positive ways. Just like Ru faced challenges with courage and guidance, tamariki will explore how kindness, respect, and understanding help us connect with others, including family, friends, and teachers. This experience highlights how relationships support us and why it’s important to celebrate the differences that make each person special.
Understanding and managing emotions is a crucial aspect of a tamaiti’s development. As tamariki navigate the early stages of their social and emotional growth, it becomes essential to provide them with the tools and language to express their feelings effectively. This guide focuses on helping tamariki describe their emotions, recognise the emotions of others, and develop strategies to manage and regulate their feelings. By fostering emotional intelligence from a young age, we can support tamariki in building healthy relationships, boosting their self-esteem, and enhancing their overall well-being. This topic highlights the importance of emotional literacy and offers practical steps to guide tamariki on their journey towards emotional self-awareness and empathy.
During childhood, the brain grows and changes rapidly, making it an optimal time to build important skills. This stage helps children develop thinking abilities, emotional awareness, social connections, and physical coordination—setting them up for future learning and success. Key areas to focus on include problem-solving, communication, understanding emotions, movement and physical activities, math skills, and curiosity about the world. Alongside learning about how the brain works, children will also explore Samoa—its culture, language, and traditions—helping them connect with identity and diversity while building cognitive and social skills. By encouraging children to engage in playful, hands-on activities that nurture brain development while exploring Samoa’s rich culture and traditions, we can help them grow in ways that strengthen cognitive skills, social connections, and a sense of identity.
During this voyage, tamariki will explore the unique identity of Rotuma—its culture, history, geography, and values. They will gain a deeper appreciation for what makes this island special while developing important skills to stay safe in everyday situations. Through engaging activities, tamariki will learn how to recognise risks, respond to emergencies, and practise basic first aid to help themselves and others. They will also build confidence in navigating public spaces by understanding fire drills, following road safety rules, and knowing how to ask for help when needed.
During this voyage, tamariki will explore how the natural world is connected and why protecting it is important. They will learn about rising ocean levels and how places like Tuvalu are affected, as well as the role of plants and trees in keeping ecosystems healthy. Through storytelling, art, and hands-on experiments, tamariki will discover simple ways to care for the environment and understand their responsibility in looking after the planet.
Tamariki will embark on an exciting exploration of Fiji—its people, rich culture, captivating history, and stunning natural landscapes. As they uncover fascinating facts about the islands, traditions, and geography, they will also reflect on their own identities and experiences. This dual voyage encourages curiosity and connection, helping tamariki appreciate both the diversity of the world around them and the uniqueness within themselves.
Alongside cultural discovery, tamariki will deepen their understanding of their bodies and emotions. Through playful, hands-on activities, they will learn to identify key body parts and understand how each part helps them move, interact, and express themselves. They will also begin to recognise physical sensations and emotions, learning how to describe what they feel and how their bodies respond. This growing self-awareness will empower tamariki to communicate their needs, seek support when needed, and care for themselves and others—building confidence and emotional resilience as they navigate their personal and collective journeys.
This voyage focuses on helping tamariki develop the ability to learn and share interesting facts about Niue, including its culture, history, geography, and values, to understand what makes it unique. Tamariki will also learn to identify private body parts and understand that these parts are private and should not be touched by others without permission. They will differentiate between safe and unsafe touch and know what steps to take if they experience unsafe touch. Respecting the privacy of others, recognising that everyone has the right to keep their private body parts private, is essential. This voyage aligns with Te Whāriki’s principles, ensuring tamariki develop essential knowledge and skills, including appreciating cultural diversity, understanding consent, and respecting personal boundaries, which contribute to a safe and supportive community.
This topic introduces tamariki to Tonga’s rich culture, history, geography, and values. It emphasises the importance of having a Safe Village—3 to 5 trusted adults they can rely on, especially in moments of uncertainty or discomfort. Tamariki are encouraged to share their worries with someone in their Safe Village and develop essential online safety skills, such as protecting personal information and seeking help when something online feels wrong. Grounded in Te Whāriki, this approach promotes wellbeing, safety, and cultural understanding, empowering tamariki to navigate both their physical and digital environments with confidence.
As tamariki return to Aotearoa New Zealand, they will reflect on their Nesian Narratives voyage, focusing on key body safety messages. Through guided reflection, they will learn to express their understanding (Mana Reo), develop empathy and respect by listening and sharing with peers (Mana Tangata), and celebrate their learning through projects and presentations. These experiences help tamariki recognise their progress and grow as confident, connected learners.