What is Biosecurity, by Andrew and Anna Dickson→

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This article introduces the concept of biosecurity and explains how, as a group of isolated islands, New Zealand developed a unique range of ecosystems. The arrival of plants or animals from other countries could be disastrous for our environment. Therefore, our borders are constantly monitored by biosecurity agencies to protect our environment, agriculture, and our health.

New Zealand History topic in National Library Services to Schools→

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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.

He Tohu Colonial Life in New Zealand topic in National Library Services to Schools→

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Colonial New Zealand covers the years 1769-1914. The resources include European discovery of New Zealand, contact with Māori, New Zealand wars, Pākehā colonisation, social life, economy, politics and major events of the time. SCIS no: 1838439.

First encounters topic in National Library Services to Schools→

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This topic explores the First Encounters between Polynesians cultures (particularly Māori) and European explorers. The resulting cultural interactions had a profound impact on indigenous societies and also defined the New Zealand/Aotearoa of today. Collection includes images, books, articles, websites, videos, and audio.

Lost in Translation, in NZonScreen→

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Inspired by an epiphany at the Waitangi Treaty grounds in 2000, and after learning New Zealand’s founding document was actually several pieces of paper, comedian Mike King went on a quest to learn the stories behind Te Tiriti O Waitangi. King traces the 1840 path of the nine sheets as it accrued its 540 signatures, meets Māori and Pākehā descendants of those involved, and connects with his Māori heritage. The 10-part series screened on Māori Television. Dominion Post critic Linda Burgess acclaimed it as “dignified, conciliatory, informative ...”

The Protest Collection, in NZonScreen→

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The 1951 waterfront dispute, the occupation of Bastion Point, halting the 1981 Springbok tour, the campaign to become nuclear-free, the foreshore and seabed controversy… New Zealand has a long history of public protest. This collection pays homage to the Kiwi fighting spirit, and willingness to stand up for a cause. From in-depth documentaries, to profiles of some of our most recognised activists, it also includes a great line-up of New Zealand’s protest songs. Thirty-four videos/films.

Kupe - Voyaging By The Stars, in NZonScreen→

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According to Māori legend, Aotearoa was found by the explorer Kupe, chasing a wheke (octopus) from Ra'iatea, Tahiti. This 1993 documentary follows Northland building contractor Hekenukumai 'Hector' Busby, as he leads the construction of a waka hourua, then retraces Kupe's course across the Pacific, back to Rarotonga.

The Matariki Collection, in NZonScreen→

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Celebrate iconic Māori television, film, and music with this collection, in time for the Māori New Year. Watch everything from haka to hip hop, Billy T to the birth of Māori Television. Two backgrounders by former TVNZ Head of Māori Programming Whai Ngata (Koha, Marae) look at Matariki, and the history of Māori programming on New Zealand television. Seventy separate films/series from 1968 to 2011

Bridget Williams Books Treaty of Waitangi Collection, in EPIC electronic collection→

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From the website: This Collection is a landmark digital resource from Bridget Williams Books (BWB), an award-winning New Zealand publisher. Designed and managed in-house at BWB, the Collection is primarily designed to:

  • provide a new and authoritative home for Treaty scholarship online, with more books to be added over time

  • offer a clear, fast and responsive design, optimised for mobile and tablet devices

  • deliver flexible and intuitive use of the books that avoids proprietary technology, and instead acknowledges how readers and researchers use the web day-to-day

  • evolve over time using a platform built on open standards and drawing on features, such as CrossRef – that are built to last.

Uncharted with Sam Neill television series→

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250 years after Captain James Cook began his epic exploration of the Pacific, Sam Neill journeys in his wake uncovering stories that resonate from those times from both sides of the beach. Visiting the islands and lands where Cook went, and meeting the descendants of the people Cook met, Sam explores the trials and triumphs, disasters, and delights that followed. Was Cook an instrument of imperial expansion or an enlightened explorer? Whether admired or admonished, Captain James Cook is forever linked to the Pacific, its heritage, and its future. 

Heritage Trail Apps, by Heritage New Zealand→

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Heritage Trails - your gateway to some unforgettable heritage experiences through a series of free, interactive tours for smart phones and tablets. Experience history right where it happened, and listen to extraordinary stories of amazing people and places. There are three apps:

  • Path to Nationhood, Northland

  • The Waikato War 1863-64

  • High Street Stories (High Street Christchurch, before the earthquakes of 2010/11).

Heritage Explorer website, by Heritage New Zealand→

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This resource supports teachers of year 1 to 10 students (curriculum levels 1-5). Linking with the New Zealand Curriculum (from a social studies perspective) it explores ways to develop understanding about heritage, why it's important, how 'our places' contribute to our concept of heritage and identity, and why heritage is worth preserving.

The resource begins by considering why an understanding of heritage is important, and the forms that heritage can take.

Linking with the New Zealand Curriculum, the resource uses a variety of perspectives to explore ways to develop understanding about heritage, how 'our places' contribute to our concept of heritage, and why they are worth preserving.

"Artefact" television programme by Māori television - website→

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Time travel and delve into taonga both famous and obscure with Dame Anne Salmond, telling tremendous stories about our Aotearoa. Especially:

  • Episode 1 - Star Travel

  • Episode 2 - Tangata Whenua

  • Episode 3 - The Power of Gifts

He Tohu exhibition website, by National Library - English medium teaching resources→

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He Tohu is a permanent exhibition of three iconic constitutional documents that shape Aotearoa New Zealand:

  • 1835 He Whakaputanga Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of NZ

  • 1840 Te Tiriti o Waitangi The Treaty of Waitangi

  • 1893 Women's Suffrage Petition Te Petihana Whakamana Pōti Wahine

Cook Landing Site & Cook's Cove field trip→

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At Cook Landing Site and Cook's Cove learn about Captain James Cook's historic first landing during his circumnavigation of New Zealand.

The Cook Landing Site National Historic Reserve is located on Kaiti Beach Road in Gisborne. It commemorates the first European landfall and meeting with Māori in New Zealand (1769). Since, the landing site has changed dramatically, although it continues to be recognised as a place of national significance.

Cook’s Cove Walkway is situated at the southern end of Tolaga Bay, 52 km north of Gisborne.

The teaching resource provides background information on the history and conservation management of Cook’s Landing Site National Reserve and Cook’s Cove Walkway.

Meretoto/Ship Cove and Motuara Island field trip→

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This resource has been developed to assist teachers in providing an interesting and exciting outdoor education experience at Ship Cove and Motuara Island. Learn about Captain Cook’s favourite landing place and how New Zealand's plants and wildlife live on a pest-free island in the Marlborough Sounds.

This educational resource contains background information on the natural and human history of the island, suggestions for class and site-based activities, and student activity sheets. “Getting there” information is included, and other things to take into consideration when planning your class trip.