Oho — Resource collection
Oho is a collection of cards and activities for teaching and learning that supports social and emotional learning. By exploring the connections between ourselves, and the world, ākonga can develop skills, strategies and knowledge that help them be culturally and socially located as unique and connected individuals.

Using these resources to explore these relationships helps ākonga build awareness of their whakapapa and develop a stronger sense of identity and belonging within themselves and in their whānau, their classrooms and learning communities.
The resources also help teachers connect with ākonga, whānau and communities to inform relevant and equitable learning design.
By using the elements of Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) — developed from Relating to others and Managing self key competencies — we can help ākonga realise their potential through mana-enhancing, socially located and culturally sustaining ways.
Teachers can tailor the activities in the Oho collection to suit learners from years four to 10 in various learning areas and individualised or group settings. Ākonga can use the activities one at a time or in almost any sequence.
The cards, activities and teacher support materials provided in this collection are available as free downloadable, printable files.
Social and Emotional Learning
To find out more about these activities, please visit the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) support and collections pages.
Activities
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Sorting my places
Explore the places that are important to you. Choose five places and sort them on a scale. There’s also a gameplay version.
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The names of my places
Explore the names of the places that are important to you. Discover the stories behind each name.
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How I communicate
We communicate in many different ways. Explore the ways you like to give and receive information and think or talk to yourself.
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My place in time
Explore the connections between place, time, people and emotion and how they influence our perspectives and approach to learning.
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Important life moments
Discover how the events we encounter shape who we are.
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This is me — my identity
Identity is about who you are. It is about what makes you — you!
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My people of inspiration
People of inspiration can help us identify what we value — they can also inspire us to bring those values to life.
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I inspire
Discover how you might inspire other people.
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My unique whānau
Choose and discuss six aspects of your whānau culture that are unique.
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My whānau in my place of learning
Explore the ways culture is and could be represented in your place of learning.
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My culture in my place of learning
How does your learning community acknowledge and celebrate the individual cultures where you learn?
Downloads
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Oho activity sheets all
A complete set of all the A3-size Oho activity sheets in pdf format.
654 KB
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Oho teacher support material
Teachers support material for all activities in the Oho resource collection.
Pdf, 4.9 MB
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Oho cards jpgs
A complete set of all the Oho cards in jpg format.
4.9 MB
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Oho cards Printable
A complete set of all the Oho cards on print-friendly A3-size pages. Files are in pdf format.
2.7 MB
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Oho Blank Cards Printable
Blank Oho cards in an A3-size printable format. Use for capturing ideas and customising the resource.
Pdf, 385 KB
To order a copy of Oho and Ata please email orders@thechair.minedu.govt.nz.
About the name and artwork
Oho can mean awakening or to awaken. As a metaphor, it relates to the awakening of a sense of self and place that tamariki develop through using these resources. Oho as a modifier can also mean fruitful or productive, as in He tau oho, a fruitful year — this links nicely to Te Taiao or the natural world and growth in knowledge, awareness and understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
The Oho box artwork is inspired by designs of traditional waka huia, papa hou or treasure boxes. The intricate illustrations are treasures in their own right — they are indicative of the rich and rewarding journeys that the resources inside can enable.
Credits
Co-designed for The Ministry of Education by Chrometoaster and IDIA | Indigenous Design & Innovation Aotearoa.
Co-design team:
Chrometoaster — George Frost, Aaron McKirdy, Qudsia Rashdi, David Read and Dave Turnbull; IDIA — Miriame Barbarich, John Moore and Dr Johnson Witehira; Cat Lunjevich; Judy Cochrane; Nic Gorman; Leanne Stubbing; Chrystal Doller; Ellie Tofts; Conrad Nepe Apatu; NZCER — Dr Rosemary Hipkins, Rachel Bolstad; Ben Sedley; Dr Melinda Webber; Nathan Wallis; Aatea Solutions; CreativeHQ; Dr Sonja Macfarlane; Dr Stuart McNaughton.
Informed by the research of:
Ted Glynn, Waiariki Grace, Dr Angus Macfarlane and Dr Wally Penetito.
Thanks to:
New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER), Curriculum Progress and Achievement Ministerial Advisory Group and the schools, teachers and learners who contributed and trialled resources. Special thanks to Newlands Intermediate School and Wainuiomata Primary School.