<- Ōtūmoetai Pā field trip homepage
Key curriculum themes and concepts
Mana whenua and mātauranga Māori
- Integrating perspectives of mana whenua to deepen understanding of the history and significance of Ōtūmoetai Pā.
- Exploring how mātauranga Māori and tikanga are interwoven with archaeological practices.
Guardianship
- Learning the role of kaitiaki in protecting taonga, archaeological sites, and historical knowledge.
National identity and whakapapa
- Understanding how Ōtūmoetai Pā and similar sites contribute to local, regional, and national identity.
Science and technology in archaeology
- Investigating the tools and techniques used in archaeology to uncover and preserve history.
Ethical engagement with history
- Exploring respectful ways to engage with and interpret historical narratives, archaeology and artefacts.
Learning areas and relevant objectives
Te Ao Tangata | Social Sciences, including Aotearoa New Zealand histories
Focus: Explore how the past has shaped identity and society.
Achievement objectives:
- Explore how historic sites like Ōtūmoetai Pā embody connections to the land, cultural identity, and heritage, and how they help explain relationships between people, places, and events over time.
- Understand how people remember and interpret history, reflecting the values, identities, and worldviews of individuals and groups (for example, mana whenua perspectives on Ōtūmoetai Pā).
- Investigate the impact of significant historical events and changes, such as the New Zealand Wars and land confiscations, on local and national identity.
- Examine how cultural and heritage preservation, through the work of kaitiaki and institutions like Heritage New Zealand, maintains connections to whakapapa and community history.
- Explore how knowledge is preserved and shared, including oral traditions, artefacts, and written records.
- Formulate questions about Ōtūmoetai Pā and its significance (for example, What can artefacts tell us about daily life at the Pā?).
- Gather and analyse evidence from diverse sources, including archaeological reports, oral histories, and taonga.
- Evaluate the ethical considerations of archaeology, including the handling and interpretation of taonga.
- Consider diverse perspectives, including mana whenua and governmental approaches to heritage preservation.
Science | Pūtaiao
Focus: Archaeology as an intersection of science and culture.
Living World (Te Ao Tūroa):
- Ecological interactions:
- Explore how early inhabitants at Ōtūmoetai Pā used natural resources sustainably, such as fishing, planting, and gathering.
- Investigate the relationships between people and the environment in shaping the landscape of the Pā (for example, terrace construction, use of native plants).
- Adaptation and survival:
- Study how the Pā's fortifications and resource management were adapted to the local environment to support the community's survival.
Material World (Te Ao Kiko):
- Properties and changes of materials:
- Analyse materials used in artefacts (for example, pounamu, bone, shell) and understand how their properties influenced their use.
- Explore how environmental factors (for example, moisture, temperature) affect the preservation of artefacts and structures over time.
- Chemical interactions:
- Learn about the processes used in preserving artefacts, such as storage and stabilisation treatments.
Physical World (Te Ao Pūtaiao):
- Forces and energy:
- Investigate how forces, such as erosion and earthquakes, impact archaeological sites and artefact preservation.
- Understand the role of physical tools and methods, such as ground-penetrating radar or LiDAR, in studying site features.
Earth and Space Science (Te Ao Mārama):
- Earth systems:
- Study soil composition and stratigraphy to understand how layers of sediment reveal timelines and human activity at Ōtūmoetai Pā.
- Examine the natural processes (for example, erosion, deposition) that shape landscapes and affect the visibility of historic sites.
Nature of Science (Te Māramatanga o te Pūtaiao):
- Investigating in science:
- Use scientific methods to explore evidence, such as measuring soil samples, analysing artefacts, or studying environmental data.
- Communicating in science:
- Present scientific findings related to the archaeology, regulation and preservation of Ōtūmoetai Pā in a way that integrates cultural and historical narratives.
- Participating and contributing:
- Consider the societal impacts of science in archaeology, such as how findings contribute to cultural heritage and decision-making about preservation.
Arts | Ngā Toi
Focus: Using creative expression to explore historical connections.
Achievement objectives:
- Explore how taonga and artefacts can inspire creative works, helping to convey the significance of ancestral heritage and cultural identity.
- Use storytelling, visual arts, or performance to communicate the narratives of Ōtūmoetai Pā.
English | Te reo Pākehā
Focus: Communicating ideas and insights about history.
Achievement objectives:
- Research and synthesise information about historic places and their stories, presenting findings through writing, speaking, or multimedia.
- Understand and use language that reflects cultural narratives, such as whakapapa, wairua, and kaitiakitanga.
Technology | Hangarau
Nature of Technology
- Examine ethical considerations and the impact of technology on cultural heritage, including how taonga are shared or digitised.
Technological Practice
- Develop and implement solutions to represent or preserve aspects of Ōtūmoetai Pā.
Technological Knowledge
- Understand the properties and suitability of various tools and techniques in studying and conserving taonga.
