These lessons should place New Zealand’s race relations in 1912 into an historical context.
Learning intentions Students are learning to…
Focus: What was the relationship between Maori and Pakeha before 1945?
- To identify the issues for Maori in 1912.
- To articulate opinions based on historical evidence.
- To assess the value of historical evidence.
- To identify developments in Maori communities in 1912.
- To understand new concepts.
- To recognise cause and effect relationships in history.
Success criteria (How do students know they have achieved success?)
I can…
- I can identify issues facing Maori communities in 1912.
- I can discuss concepts such social Darwinism and assimilation.
- I can express an opinion about the usefulness of historical evidence.
- I can identify developments in Maori communities in 1912.
- I can discuss how Pakeha and Maori related to each other in 1912.
Key Content to Cover
Teacher should briefly cover:
- Assimilation as basis of governments’ policies about Maori
- The ‘myth of the dying Maori’
- Maori population statistics (increase)
- Difficulties for Maori land development
- Maori Land
- Maori Health and Housing
- Maori leadership
- Young Maori Party
Important concepts to discuss:
- Social Darwinism
- Assimilation
Relevant Film Archive footage and Key Questions
Although these three clips are all from different years, they can be used to illustrate Maori life around the time.
Use viewing templates to help unpack these clips.
How useful are these excerpts as historical evidence?
DVD 1. RELATIONSHIPS (CULTURE)
Sights in New Zealalnd, 1906
Filmed at Ohinemutu, Rotorua. Some good examples of ‘amalgamation’ in dress and transport. Communal washing and cooking.
DVD 1. RELATIONSHIPS (CULTURE)
Scenes of Life on the Whanganui River/He Pito Whakaatu I Noho a Te Maori i Te Awa o Whanganui, 1921
- shows domestic work (flax cutting etc, woven mats)
- Maori Housing
It is 1921 – what does this clip suggest about the standard of living for Maori in Whanganui?
DVD 1. RELATIONSHIPS (CULTURE)
Scenes of Life on the East Coast/He Pito Whakaatu I Noho a Te Maori i Tairawhiti, 1923
- Shows traditional Fishing, elderly Maori playing the flute, hand games, harvesting kumara, storing kumara.
