Introduction:
The footage on social issues, environmental issues and the controversy surrounding the Erebus crash, lends itself well to a process of inquiry. The students gain a general understanding of the issues from the footage and then either individually, or in small groups carry out their own research on the different views surrounding the topic. The aims of this are for students to gain an understanding of more than one perspective on the issue or event and for them to see how present-day views on the footage are similar or different from those of the 1970s.
Lesson Outline
Watch some or all of the footage, from which the students can choose an area of study for their inquiry.
Discuss the areas of controversy and how views on the issues and events have changed over time.
Guide students toward the possible sources which they can use to complete their inquiry assignment.
Use Resource Ten to guide the students in their inquiry and guide them towards key concepts and understandings which they will explore in their inquiry.
Brief notes on the issues from each area have been provided. A generic template then guides students through the inquiry process where they will undertake their own research on a selected issue, personality or event.
Watch some or all of the footage, from which the students can choose an area of study for their inquiry.
Discuss the areas of controversy and how views on the issues and events have changed over time.
ENVIRONMENT:
The 1970s saw the beginnings of environmental debate in politics that is now a given. It also saw resistance to the damming of rivers although now this form of electricity production is now seen as relatively benign compared to fossil fuel hungry and greenhouse gas producing methods; yet there was still an environmental price to pay for hydro-electric power.
The 1970s also saw a growing awareness of bird species which were on the edge of extinction. Apart from kakapo, takehae and black robin are other species whose numbers have been increased through human intervention and relocation to offshore and inland sanctuaries.
A Question of Power The Manapouri debate.
The Social Credit political party was among the first groups to take up the issue.
Norman Kirk eventually prevented the raising of Lake Manapouri and also made a political issue from an environmental one. Note Kirk’s other achievements in campaigning against French nuclear testing in the Pacific.
Election Night
Central Otago is no longer a safe National seat because of the threat issue of damming for hydro electric power. S ee if students can think of other environmental issues which governments must now have clear policies on.
Farming and Hydro
Negative aspects of losing land which it is claimed can not be compensated for. Is this true and why or why not? Were the hydro scheme s necessary?
On The Edge of Extinction: One of a number of New Zealand birds which have come extremely close to extinction, the kakapo still struggles for survival today. This is partly because of a lack of defence from predators, destruction of habitat and a long breeding cycle which makes recovery of its population a slow and uncertain process
Maori: This is another rich area for student-based inquiry. Many of the personalities seen on this footage have remained in the headlines. Students could focus on either one of these personalities or on a specific issue such as land rights.
Nga Tamatoa: What was the purpose of this group? What actions and methods were used? What is meant to by the term ‘radical activist’?
What would be considered radical about Syd Jackson’s Nga Tamatoa movement and in what ways can it be considered reasonable? Other people who could become a focus for an inquiry in this footage are Willie Jackson, Tame Iti or Dame Whina Cooper.
Land March: The march had several aims and there would have been a diversity of attitudes held by those participating. Any of these could provide a good starting point for an inquiry on land issues or the march itself. Possible areas for further study might be: raising awareness of land issues among Pakeha, Ngati Whatua’s grievance over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, the significance of Whenua, Whina Cooper wanting to raise consciousness and pride throughout New Zealand’s tribes.
Contemporary coverage on national news shows the success of the march in gaining publicity.
Bastion Point: Documentary emphasises the confrontation aspect and the eviction of the protesters after their 507 days of occupation. This could be compared to other land occupations, for example Parihaka. It is interesting that media coverage was restricted by both Maori and police.
Immigration: This is an area of great student interest. Many are surprised by the events of the late 1970s and early 1980s. There is also an awareness of the issues through recent hip hop and roots bands and commercial labels such as Dawn Raid.
The Overstayers
The Dawn Raids of the late 1970s and early 1980s marked a crackdown on Pacific Island migrants who had previously been encouraged to come to New Zealand during the time when the economy was booming and their labour was needed. As the crackdown increased, random questioning of those suspected of being Pacific overstayers occurred. Legitimate New Zealand citizens from the Cook Islands and Tokelau and even Maori were questioned. Despite the fact that there were many more illegal immigrants in New Zealand from European countries, it was Pacific Islanders who were targeted. The history of the dawn raids and their legacy provide a rich area for student inquiry.
Feminism: This is an area which continues to create debate. The discussion has become more complex as the variety of attitudes within feminism has multiplied. Some traditional attitudes continue, while some believe everything desired by the Women’s Liberation movement of the 1970s has now been achieved. Still others see there to be a stronger need for feminist awareness now than ever before.
Student inquiry in this area can suit those with high ability in critical thinking. T he issues are complex and wide. For some it may be a good idea to focus on one personality or one area such as the media’s portrayal of women.
Sheilas: Marcia Russell
This footage raises several questions. What were the expectations of women prior to the women’s liberation movement? What was being demanded and why? What had been the reasons for this change? Discuss the various possible reasons for the growth of feminism at this time e.g. dissatisfaction in the suburbs - ‘suburban cabbage syndrome’. Links to the protest movement and new international influences and the development of the contraceptive pill allowing women to more easily control when and if they had children.
Marcia Russell or a number of other important New Zealand women could provide an focus for inquiry.
Women and the press is another possible area, both in terms of taking control of the press as seen in this footage and the portrayal of women within the press. The publications seen in this footage could be compared and contrasted with women’s popular press of today
The Female Consumer
The realisation that women have control as a consumer and their role within the family.
Disillusionment with politicians despite pride in political history.
Here there are two men, (one seemingly much more sympathetic to the Women’s Liberation movement than the other) discussing women’s issues on national television. As well as the issues raised, the merits or otherwise of this interview could be discussed. Would it have been better to have a woman involved in this interview or does the fact that two men are discussing this issue represent progress?
The Mt Erebus Disaster
This event was hugely significant in terms of lives lost, the fact that this was the first time Air New Zealand had suffered (and been blamed for) the loss of life and the enormous controversy surrounding the inquiry which would follow. This area could be compared with other air disasters. More able and ambitious students could think about doing primary research on this topic, finding newspaper articles and conducting interviews.
Erebus, The Legacy: Brief but moving scenes of the wreckage and press coverage of the disaster are seen
Erebus, The Inquiry: A Royal Commission of Inquiry found that the airline and not the pilots were to blame. Air New Zealand changed the flight plan without informing Jim Collins. The DC10 was mistakenly programmed to fly into Erebus. Air NZ claimed it was unaware pilots flew below 6000ft and this is what caused the tragedy. This was disproved by the inquiry.
