In Aotearoa New Zealand, our ancestors all came from another place. Our society is a rich blend of origins, cultures, languages, traditions, religions and foods from all over the world. Early Māori sailed thousands of miles to reach Aotearoa New Zealand. Their routes were preserved in memory or recorded in song. Upon arrival they weaved place names and overland route descriptions into oral histories. These have been passed from generation to generation. Iwi mapping was therefore an oral tradition. The pepeha, for example, is an important form of introduction. It links individuals to their tribal roots and significant landmarks. The forerunner to the Global Positioning System (GPS)!
Join us as we explore the diverse heritage of a classroom, their stories and how they came to Aotearoa New Zealand. Meet with their parents and understand some of the challenges they faced in making this country their home. Your guides will be other students who have been using digital maps to create a record of their origins and the places that support their identity.
Curated resource collection
You can search this collection by using the search bar below.
Tupapa→
/Our ancestors journeyed from Polynesia to Turanganui-a-Kiwa (Gisborne) more than 700 years ago. Tupapa: Our Stand. Our Story is a project to tell our rich, interwoven stories that have been passed down about the first people to navigate to and inhabit this place.
Dawn Raids in NZOnScreen→
/This documentary chronicles a shameful passage in NZ race relations: the controversial mid-70s raids on the homes and workplaces of alleged Pacific Island overstayers. Director Damon Fepulea’i examines its origins in Pacific Island immigration during full employment in the 1960s, when a blind eye was turned to visa restrictions. As times got tougher, that policy changed to include random street checks by police, despite official denials. Resistance by activists and media coverage helped end a policy which has had a long-term effect on the Pacific Island community.
Tuia Mātauranga - Encounters 250 topic in Science Learning Hub→
/The topic page about Tuia Encounters 250 and Tuia Mātauranga in the Science Learning Hub website. Includes some resources for Tui Kōreroreo: Ngā Pātai.
Roadside Stories by Ministry for Culture and Heritage→
/Roadside Stories is a series of audio guides that follow major road trips in New Zealand. The stories cover the places you’ll pass along the way – their people, their history, their cultural and natural significance.
The Voyage Out, by John Wilson→
/From the Scottish port of Greenock to Dunedin in New Zealand’s South Island is close to 20,000 kilometres – as far as you could travel to start a new life. By sailing ship, the journey took months. Voyagers endured boredom, terror, and misery, and with only the vast, unpredictable ocean to look at. Many of those who stepped on board owned few possessions, but they had what it took: plenty of courage and hope.
New Zealand History topic in National Library Services to Schools→
/The Māori were the first settlers of Aotearoa, followed by the Europeans. Discover the history of New Zealand’s landscape, its people, events, places, identity, and cultures from sites like Te Ara, Te Papa, DigitalNZ, and NZ History. SCIS no. 1808403.
Immigration in New Zealand History website, by Ministry for Culture and Heritage→
/Articles entitled:
British & Irish immigration, 1840 - 1914
Assisted immigration, 1947 - 75
My Place, by Janice Marriott→
/Jeromie and Jelintha have come to a New Zealand city from rural Papua New Guinea. Ryan lives on a farm that his family has owned for generations. The MacLean family is travelling around the country in a camper van. And Ruiha lives in an outer suburb of Wellington but commutes to school in the city. This text explores what “home” means to all these people. It includes information about their daily routines and the challenges they face. Quotes from interviews pepper the report, and key ideas are highlighted visually.
(Teacher support materials only)
The Possum Problem, by Johanna Knox→
/"Possums. You hardly ever see them, but they’re all around: in the bush, on farms, in parks. They might even be in your garden. During the day, possums stay in their dens. These are dry, hidden places where they won’t be disturbed. Possums emerge after dark, millions upon millions of them, all across New Zealand. And what do they do? They eat."
Something Alive, by Jem Yoshioka→
/Jem Yoshioka was born and bred in New Zealand to New Zealand-born parents, so technically she only belongs to one place. But her Japanese ancestry is a living part of her. This graphic novel, written and drawn by Jem, explores a struggle we are all familiar with: that of seeking to understand who we are and where we belong. Rich in both written and visual imagery, this text invites multiple readings.
Explorers of the Sunrise, by Jeff Evans and Damon Salesa →
/Polynesians have traveled vast distances in canoes for more than three thousand years, resulting in many settlements across the Pacific. In “Explorers of the Sunrise”, the first article recounts a recent voyage from New Zealand to Rapanui and back, using traditional navigation methods. The second article describes Polynesian travel, from the earliest migrations to modern-day air travel.
Thumbprints, by Serie Barford→
/A poem containing themes of heritage, identity, immigration, NZ history, race and relationships. "Mum left Sāmoa in 1952. To‘ono drove her to the harbour in a jeep abandoned by American marines."
Uncle Tino, by Jane Davitt Va'afusuaga→
/“Uncle Tino” is a deceptively simple story about Samoan twins, Jessie and Jonas, who are embarrassed by their exuberant uncle who has recently arrived from Sāmoa. The lively story is woven through with Samoan concepts and values as Jessie and Jonas gradually change their attitudes toward Uncle Tino. The story reinforces the idea that cultural knowledge and skills are “cool” and worthy of respect.