The Canoe Is The People→

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The stars can never go wrong.
Thousands of years ago, when most sailors were still hugging the coast, the island peoples of the Pacific held the knowledge and skills to explore the great ocean paths extending far beyond their homes. Modern instruments didn't exist - no compasses, no radio, no radar (a system that uses electromagnetic waves to locate surrounding objects), no GPS (Global Positioning System, a handheld computer that tells your position by communicating with satellites). The Pacific peoples found their way across the ocean, guided by the wind, waves, stars, and sea life. Voyage into this website to find out more…
Includes teacher and student guides.

The Land Beneath Our Feet: Resource Kit→

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Understanding relationships exist between people and the environment. Discovering that all iwi have stories connected to the land. Teacher guide for learning about relationships between mana whenua and the land, and how people pass on culture and heritage.
Includes three fact sheets in te reo Māori.

Make your Own Museum: Resource Kit→

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Communicating symbolism, meaning and value using photographic conventions. Teacher guide for working with students to investigate how meaning is communicated and interpreted, understanding the signifigance of personal and national taonga.
Includes resources in te reo Māori.

Māori History site on Te Kete Ipurangi - English medium→

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This site is designed to provide access to materials that will assist in the implementation of Te Takanga o te Wā, Guidelines for Teachers Years 1–8. This site features the stories of iwi educators, secondary teachers and their students, sharing their experiences of teaching and learning Māori history.

Te Takanga o te Wā is not designed as a list of lessons or learning experiences. Rather it provides a framework to support teachers to teach Māori history with their students. The content and context that you choose for your class could focus on building quality and collaborative engagement with your local iwi and hapū. The stories and histories relating to your school’s geographic location will assist you to instill a deeper sense of personal identity and belonging for every student. This resource provides connections to frame that context:

  • Whakapapa

  • Tūrangawaewae

  • Mana motuhake

  • Kaitiakitanga

  • Whanaungatanga

Each one has a list of possible conceptual understandings and a key message linked to the levels 1 and 2 achievement objectives of The New Zealand Curriculum.

Something Alive, by Jem Yoshioka→

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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.

Ngā Tātarakihi o Parihaka, by Lucy Bailey→

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This story, set at Parihaka just prior to the government raid in 1881, is told from the perspective of a young girl who was living there. The author’s great-grandmother was living at Parihaka at that time, and the story is partially based on oral history.

Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa/The New Zealand Wars, by Ross Calman→

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“The New Zealand Wars” describes the wars fought between 1845 and 1872. The wars were about who controlled the country and who owned the land. This long and fascinating article explains the circumstances of the wars, including the areas and tribes involved. There are good general descriptions of the main confrontations and key players, both Māori and British. The text is written by a Māori author who presents a balanced account of the wars and their impacts. 

Keeping Promises: The Treaty Settlement Process, by Mark Derby→

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This article provides an accessible introduction to the Treaty settlement process. The content covers events from 1840, when the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, through to the present day. The material is organised in sections with brief, clear headings. It also includes a pop-up interview section with quotes from six Māori from different iwi who comment on the Treaty settlement process and what it has meant for them.

Captain Cook Charting Our Islands, by Melanie Lovell Smith→

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This article describes Captain Cook’s first visit to New Zealand where he charted the coastline. It focuses on Cook’s abilities as a skilled maker of charts and maps rather than as a great explorer. It also examines the maths involved in Cook’s chart making (a perfect, real-life example of maths in everyday life).