Waitangi Virtual Visits for Schools

The Education team at Waitangi Treaty Grounds has developed new Virtual Visits for schools that are not able to visit Waitangi following Covid-19 retsrictions.

The Treaty Grounds opened its doors to the public on the 16^th of May 2020 but is aware that not all classes are able to visit the Bay of Islands yet. Schools can choose from three topics: Early Contact, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Treaty of Waitangi, and the New Zealand Wars.

Early Contact Virtual Visit

In the Early Contact virtual visit, students gather an understanding of the issues surrounding the European presence in New Zealand leading up to the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Treaty of Waitangi

The session about Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Treaty of Waitangi explores the English and te reo Māori versions of the documents, the differences between them, and how they are relevant to Aotearoa New Zealand today.

The New Zealand Wars

The New Zealand Wars visit covers what happened after the Treaty signing and explores why the Treaty did not end conflict between Māori and British, instead starting wars between them.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds Education Manager Monika Kern is excited about the new look Virtual Visits: “We were offering limited Virtual Visits before COVID-19, mainly for South Island schools, but during lockdown we were able to completely redevelop our approach with new content and more interactivity, and we are keen to keep going.”

For more information contact Monika Kern, Education Manager, Waitangi Treaty Grounds monikakern@waitangi.org.nz or on mobile 027 550 9867.