Activity 2: Exploring Our Roots

Activity 2: Exploring Our Roots

Taika Waititi is a New Zealand filmmaker, director, actor and comedian. He has produced and/or directed a number of popular films including “Boy,” “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” and “Thor: Ragnarok.” As a child, Taika Waititi lived in Raukokore (a small town on the East Coast of New Zealand). When he graduated from secondary school Taika moved to Wellington to study drama at Victoria University. Despite moving away from home, he has never forgotten his family or his roots (where he comes from).

Speaking of roots, Taika comes from a culturally diverse family. His dad is Māori (Te Whānau-a-Apanui) and his mother is Russian-Jewish. I, on the other hand, am Pākeha (New Zealand European). Most of my ancestors come from England. When I talk about who I am, and introduce myself to others, I sometimes use a pepeha.

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DAY 1: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

DAY 1: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Activity 1: New Zealand Royalty

‘Lorde’ is a New Zealand singer who rose to fame in 2013 with the release of her song Royals. She currently has over 6 million followers on both Instagram and Facebook and close to 8 million followers on Twitter. Lorde has won many awards and influenced many people with her music and her original dance moves.

Lorde’s real name is Ella Yelich-O’Connor and she was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1996. Her mother, Sonja Yelich, is Croatian and her father, Vic O’Connor, is Irish. Lorde’s parents encouraged her to read a lot as a child. They also encouraged her to follow her passion. Lorde started performing covers (other people’s songs) when she was at intermediate school and started writing her own original music as a young teen.



For this activity, we would like you to do some research and find out all that you can about Lorde. Once you have finished your research, please create a Profile Page for her. A profile page is a digital info graphic or poster that shares information about someone.

Here is an example of a profile page about Taylor Swift.

On your blog, post a copy of the profile page. Please include at least five interesting facts about Lorde on the page.

Remember to attribute any images that you borrow from the internet or from other people.