Aotearoa: Land, People, and Colonisation

Aotearoa: Land, People, and Colonisation

Year 9 NZ History Exploring our shared heritage Understanding perspectives and connections

WALT: We Are Learning To

Understand the significance of Aotearoa in New Zealand history Identify and locate key geographical places relevant to Māori history Explain the cultural significance of these places Describe what colonisation means and its early impacts

Mapping Aotearoa

Cultural Significance of Place

{"left":"Mountains like Aoraki are ancestors and sacred sites\nRivers provide life, food, and spiritual connection\nHarbours and coasts were highways for travel and trade","right":"Each iwi has deep whakapapa (genealogical) connections to their rohe\nPlace names tell stories of creation and history\nLand provides identity, belonging, and responsibility"}

What is Colonisation?

When one group of people takes control of another group's land and way of life European settlers began arriving in Aotearoa in the 1800s They brought new ideas, technologies, and ways of living This created major changes for Māori communities Not all changes were welcomed or beneficial

Timeline Activity: Early Contact

Work in pairs to arrange these events in chronological order: Abel Tasman sights New Zealand (1642) James Cook's first voyage (1769) First missionaries arrive (1814) Treaty of Waitangi signed (1840) Discuss: What might each event have meant for Māori?

Think, Pair, Share

Think: What surprised you most about what we've learned today? Pair: Share your thoughts with a partner Share: What questions do you still have about Aotearoa's history?

Extension Task: Research Your Local Iwi

Choose a local iwi to research for next lesson Find out: Their traditional rohe (territory) Important whakapapa and stories How colonisation affected them Their contributions to Aotearoa today Present your findings as a poster, slides, or oral presentation