These contexts and activities can be used to generate conversations for discussion in the classroom, as well as inspire students with their own research topics.
Erebus accident: remembering the past
Teachers can use the Erebus accident and its aftermath to explore ideas around what we remember of people and events from our past, and how we remember them. more...
Place names: survey pegs of the past
Place names are a great way to learn about history. They are symbolic, shed light on past events, and help us remember and connect with culture and heritage. more...
What to do with markers of our colonial past?
In many places, Black Lives Matter protests have widened to consider the meaning and relevance of colonial-era statues, memorials and names. more...
Teaching te Tiriti o Waitangi
Educator–Historian Ricky Prebble looks at ways to teach the history of te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi and analyse its ongoing impact. more...
Mana motuhake: Māori resistance to colonisation
Images of Māori resistance to colonisation intended to get students to think about concepts related to historical change continuity. more...
New Zealand history scavenger hunt
Set of online scavenger hunts designed to let teachers and students explore a range of New Zealand history content. more...
Government apologies
Overview of New Zealand government apologies, and classroom-based ideas and activities intended for students between Years 7 and 13. more...
Polynesian Panthers and the dawn raids
Histories of the dawn raids and Polynesian Panther Party enable teachers and students to explore topics of power and colonisation. more...
Waka: connecting the ocean and history
As islands in the vast Pacific Ocean, the topic of waka is an obvious place to begin exploring aspects of Aotearoa New Zealand's history. more...
A reflection on historical silences
As educators it’s important we continually remind ourselves and our students about the partial and biased nature of historical narratives. more...
Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
Currently, young New Zealanders at the age of 16 cannot vote. This is something Make it 16, a youth-led campaign, wants to change. more...
Comparing pandemics
Historian Elizabeth Cox compares New Zealand’s response to the 1918 flu pandemic and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. more...
Anzac Day and remembrance
Activities for teachers and students working on topics related to Anzac Day and war remembrance. more...
New Zealand Wars
Are the New Zealand Wars our forgotten wars? Where do they fit in our exploration of who we are as a nation? more...
Suffrage 125
We remember 125 years of women's suffrage through the lens of contemporary women’s rights and feminist issues in New Zealand. more...
Tuia – Encounters 250
Resources and suggestions to help students engage with the topics relating to Tuia 250 Encounters. more...
Treaty of Waitangi
Treaty of Waitangi-related activities and ideas for srudents and teachers. more...
Featherston incident
Teaching and learning activities related to the riot at Featherston POW camp during the Second World War. more...
Capital punishment
Discussion and activities relating to the death penalty more...
A sense of place
Place-based teaching as a way to engage with wider historical concepts and ideas. more...
Te Tangata Kōhuru: The Murderous Man
To many Māori Native Minister John Bryce was Tangata Kōhuru (The Murderous Man). To the settler community he was ‘Honest John’. more...