Tāwhiri · guided meditation
Find a comfortable spot and press play when you’re ready.
Ōrongo · bilingual meditation for Years 4–8 · About this video ↗
If the player cannot open here, watch on YouTube ↗ or try the breathing circle below.
YEAR 4 · HAUORA
TE WHARE TAPA WHĀ
Build a strong whare. Build your wellbeing.
Learn how the four taha of wellbeing work together, discover the foundation of whenua, then build a hauora plan that fits you.
HAUORA · HE WĀ MARINO
A little time to reset
Choose gentle breathing, nature sounds or a guided video. You can keep your eyes open, move, or stop whenever you like.
My calm corner
A quiet breathing break
Follow the circle if it feels comfortable, or breathe at your own pace. No breath holding.
Ready when you are
Choose Start to begin.
Listen to nature
Choose the sound you’d like while you do your breathing.
Nature recordings: freesound_community (forest) and hear_it_use_it (waves), supplied for Homework Club.This is one way to care for taha hinengaro and taha tinana. If breathing feels uncomfortable, stop and breathe normally, or try listening instead.
My hauora journal
Try pen and paper if you can
Writing on paper can give you a quiet moment to notice feelings, sort your thoughts and choose a next step. You do not need perfect spelling or a finished story.
Prefer to type? Use this journal in your own way. A few words are enough; every prompt is optional.
HE WĀ MŌKU · A MOMENT FOR ME
You choose what to write. Saving is optional and keeps this journal in this browser only. On a shared device, use paper or download and clear your note.
Your journal is ready. Saving is your choice.
Page 1 of 5Meet the whare
PAGE 1 · HE AHA TE HAUORA?
What is Te Whare Tapa Whā?
Hauora means health and wellbeing. Te Whare Tapa Whā is a Māori model of wellbeing developed by Tā Mason Durie. It uses a whare to show that different parts of our wellbeing support one another.
TAP THE WHARE
Every part supports the whole.
The four taha are like the walls of a whare. Whenua is the foundation beneath them — our connection to land, place and where we belong.
Remember: If one part needs extra care, it can affect the others too. Wellbeing is about balance, not being perfect.
KUPU TO KNOW
taha = side or dimension · whare = house/building · whenua = land/placenta and, here, the foundation connecting us to place.
PAGE 2 · NGĀ TAHA E WHĀ
Meet the four sides of your hauora
No wall works on its own. Tap each card and think about things you already do that help keep that part of your whare strong.
🏃
Taha tinana
Physical wellbeing
Your body — how it grows, moves, rests and is cared for.
Show me some examples
- Move your body
- Drink water
- Eat nourishing kai
- Get enough sleep
- Wash and care for your body
🧠
Taha hinengaro
Mental & emotional wellbeing
Your thoughts and feelings — how you notice them, express them and ask for help.
Show me some examples
- Name how you feel
- Talk to someone you trust
- Take a quiet reset
- Solve problems one step at a time
- Use kind self-talk
🤝
Taha whānau
Family & social wellbeing
The people you belong with — whānau, friends, classmates, teams and community.
Show me some examples
- Spend time together
- Share and listen
- Help someone
- Ask for support
- Include others
✨
Taha wairua
Spiritual wellbeing
What helps you know who you are and what matters to you — culture, values, beliefs, whakapapa, creativity and connection.
Show me some examples
- Learn about your whakapapa
- Sing waiata
- Spend time in nature
- Practise your beliefs or values
- Do something meaningful to you
THE FOUNDATION
Whenua · land, place & belonging
The whare stands on whenua. Our wellbeing can be supported by feeling connected to the places we live, learn, play and belong — and by caring for the environment around us.
Important: Taha wairua can include religion or faith, but it does not have to. It can also be about your culture, values, whakapapa, identity, creativity, nature and the things that give your life meaning.
PAGE 3 · WHAKAMĀTAU · HAVE A GO
Which part of the whare?
Read each situation. Choose the taha — or the foundation — that is being cared for most clearly.
SCENARIO 1 OF 50 correct
💬
Aria fills her drink bottle before netball and rests after the game.
Choose the best match.
🏠
Ka rawe! You know the parts of the whare.
You matched all five examples. Real life can sometimes support more than one taha at once — that is part of how the model works.
PAGE 4 · TŌKU WHARE · MY WHARE
Choose one small action for each part
You do not need a huge goal. Pick one realistic thing you could do to care for each taha and your connection to whenua.
0 of 5 parts chosen
🏠 My Te Whare Tapa Whā Plan
PAGE 5 · HE TAPUTAPU HAUORA · TOOLKIT
Try one wellbeing tool
A calm breathing exercise can support your body and mind when you want a quiet reset. It is one tool — not something you have to use for every feeling or problem.
CALM BREATHING
Three gentle rounds
Sit comfortably. Breathe normally at any time. Stop if you feel dizzy or uncomfortable.
READY?
3 rounds
Press Start when you're ready.
CHECK IN
Which part could use a little care today?
This is not a test. There is no wrong answer.
Choose one if you want to.
Need more support?
You do not have to sort everything out by yourself. If something is worrying you, tell a trusted adult such as a parent, caregiver, teacher, whānau member or another safe grown-up.
🏠
Kua oti! Journey complete.
You learned the four taha, the foundation of whenua, practised matching examples and built your own hauora plan.