This resource offers a comprehensive guide to cultivating kūmara, integrating practical gardening techniques with cultural insights. It follows the journey of a Year 4–6 class at Selwyn School in Rotorua, who, under the guidance of teacher Sue Ratcliffe, engaged in hands-on learning about kūmara cultivation. The class collaborated with local expert Te Rangikaheke Kiripatea from Te Puea Orchard, exploring traditional practices and tikanga associated with growing kūmara. Students propagated kūmara shoots (tipu) in the classroom, prepared the school’s māra kai (food garden), and participated in the harvest, incorporating waiata and karakia into the process. This resource provides educators with a model for integrating science education with cultural heritage, fostering a deeper connection to Aotearoa New Zealand’s agricultural traditions.
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