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19 months to 5 years Bonding and relationships Identity and culture Social and emotional skills

Tuakana teina describes the relationship between siblings and the roles each has. It also extends to other relationships, such as experienced parents acting as tuakana to less experienced parents.

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Tuakana, teina, and their plural forms tuākana and tēina, are Māori terms describing relationships between siblings and cousins and wider whānau relationships – tuākana being the elder and tēina the younger. Tuākana can have a powerful impact as role models and often they will guide, support and look out for their tēina.

Traditional roles

Traditional roles on the marae, such as whaikōrero and karanga, are tuākana responsibilities. In some cases, it’s not just about being the elder. It can also be about who holds skills and expertise in an area.

Ngāti Toa rangatira (leader) Te Rauparaha is an example of someone who took on tuākana roles although he wasn’t the most senior chief of the tribe. He became the head of his iwi because of his leadership and strategic military skills.

Exploring sibling relationships

How you approach the topic of sibling relationships will depend on each individual whānau. You might want to start by exploring the relationships the parents have or had with their own siblings or cousins.

Recommended resource

Whakatipu Te Kōhuri 1

You can use the Kaitiaki tamaiti page on Tuakana teina to talk with whānau.

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Conversation ideas

Are you familiar with the terms tuakana and teina?
Where are you in the birth order in your whānau?
Tell me about your brothers and sisters and your relationships with them.
What about cousins? Have you grown up with them around?
What roles do you think older and younger siblings and cousins have?
What sort of things do you ask of your older tamariki?
What relationships would you like your tamariki to have with each other or their cousins? How can you make it happen?

Pretend play

Pretend play is a fun way for whānau to share whānau values and routines. It is often enjoyed by siblings as they experiment with and practise adult roles. It is a perfect vehicle for parents to encourage tuakana teina responsibilities.

Who are your tuakana?

The concept of tuakana teina can relate to experienced parents acting as tuākana to parents who are new to parenting or less experienced.

As a whānau supporter, you will notice the relationships within whānau. You have a role in supporting and promoting positive relationships. This includes relationships between parents and their tamariki, between the parents themselves, and between the wider whānau and the community. Look for ways to help connect parents with others who may be able to provide tuākana support.

Conversation ideas

Are there people you know who are supporting you as tuākana?
How do you feel about being tuakana to some other new parents? What are some of the ways you might do that?
Have you’ve learned some things through our sessions that you could share with others? What have you found useful that you think you could pass on?

Helpful resources for whānau

  • Whakatipu Te Kōhuri Booklet 1, page 10 and 11

    Tuakana and teina and why te reo Māori is important for our tamariki.

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  • Kōrero mai mō tō tātou whānau – teach me about our family

    Then I know I’m not alone, my brain learns best from the people who love and care about me.

    jpg 1.3 MB
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