Maungakiekie One Tree Hill
The Obelisk and the Tree
Introduction
Maungakiekie holds special significance due to the planting of the whenua (afterbirth) of a Ngāti Awa chief’s son, Korokino, alongside a tōtara sprig on its summit. This tree, named Te Tōtara-i-āhua (the tōtara that stands alone), symbolised a line of leadership, made the mountain sacred to Māori and was the name given to the tihi (summit). Maungakiekie remains a powerful symbol of Māori identity, resilience, and connection to the land, as well as a site reflecting the layered history of Māori and Pākehā interactions.
Learning Aims
Students will learn:
- How the stories of Maungakiekie One Tree and the Obelisk reveal deep connections
between place and environment.
- How the planning and construction of the Obelisk sparked debate and how public symbols
can hold different meanings that change over time.
- How reactions to Maungakiekie’s one tree being cut down reflect evolving ideas of the role
of culture, identity, and changing ideas of what it means to be a New Zealander,
highlighting the ongoing impact of historical narratives.
Activity Resources
Activity One:
‘Prior Knowledge Brainstorm’
Activity Four:
‘Summarising Using a Mind Map’
4.1. Mind Map Tasksheet
4.2 Mind Map Exemplars
4.3. How to Teach Mind Mapping
4.4. Why and How to use a Mind Map
4.5. Coggle Online Tutorial
Activity Seven:
‘Source Interpretation: Reactions, Actions and Responses’
Activity Eight:
‘Interpreting a Poem through a historical Lens’
8.1. Worksheet for Poem Analysis. Our Tree on the Hill. Robert Sullivan
Activity Three:
‘Questions for Close Reading and Source Analysis’
Activity Six:
‘Exploring Activism’
6.1. Multiple Choice Questions for Close Viewing