Learning local history and pakiwaitara
This resource contains a video showing how a local pakiwaitara about the great Māori navigator Tamatea Pōkai Whenua is now a significant part of the curriculum at Kidsfirst Kindergartens Lyttelton. This resource is part of the “Aotearoa New Zealand histories” set. See the resource carousel for more.
Key points
- teaching local pakiwaitara over time
- incorporating drama and digital technologies
At Kidsfirst Kindergartens Lyttelton, the children learn about the great Māori navigator Tamatea Pōkai Whenua. He explored Aotearoa from the far north to the deep south in the 1300s. Tamatea was responsible for naming Whakaraupō (Lyttelton Harbour). The cone-shaped hill that rises in the landscape behind Rāpaki also bears his name – Te Poho o Tamatea.
There is a well-known local pakiwaitara about Tamatea, which generations have told to explain the unusual landforms and special features of the district.
Over time, kaiako interest in this local history has led to respectful relationships with people in the community and the sharing of this pakiwaitara in book form. Kaiako immediately saw the interest this pakiwaitara sparked in children. It is now a significant part of the curriculum, told and retold in many different ways, as illustrated in the presentation below.
Kaiako believe that history comes to life for children when it is connected to the landmarks and places children know. They hear that children talk about Tamatea Pōkai Whenua when they are out and about with their families. The children’s knowledge helps build their sense of identity and place.
Kaiako refer to Tamatea in other ways too. Dispositions associated with Tamatea’s character – pakari, māia, mātua, and kaiarataki – are part of the everyday language in the kindergarten. These dispositions incorporate courage, determination, and leadership. As one kaiako explains, “I feel they (the children) know him so well; they almost feel connected to him.”
What contributed to success here?
Kaiako who:
- prioritise their obligations to Te Tiriti in their teaching practice
- value relationships and connections in their rohe as a source of rich learning
- factor into their curriculum design that deep learning comes from repetition over time
- are knowledgeable and reflective to the development of children’s learning dispositions that are valued by Māori
- closely observe children's engagement to create new learning opportunities that take account of their interests.
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About this resource
Kaiako at Kidsfirst Kindergartens Lyttelton have made local history and pakiwaitara a feature of their curriculum. This video shows how a local pakiwaitara about the great Māori navigator Tamatea Pōkai Whenua is now a significant part of the curriculum at this service. This resource is part of the “Aotearoa New Zealand histories” set. See the resource carousel for more.