Section outline

  • EXPLORE / TŪHURA

    EXPLORE / TŪHURA learning intentions:

    • We are EXPLORING our part in the development of Aotearoa as a nation
    • We are EXPLORING groups involved in facing challenges of the past and developing our future.



    Lesson 1

    Background Information - Māori Party Policy 



    Watch this newsclip and/or read the article

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/m-ori-party-reveals-policy-change-nzs-name-aotearoa-make-history-core-part-school-curriculum


    Task 1: Outline three components of the Māori Party Te Reo Māori policy from 2020?

    Task 2: Why would the Māori Party suggest this policy? How does it align to what you know about the Māori Party’s values? (Values are strongly held beliefs about the way people act, the priorities they have when making decisions etc.)


    Should NZ Change its name to Aotearoa? 

    STUART SMITH [ National Party MP]  RESTARTED THE DEBATE WITH THIS OPINION ON JULY 28, 2021...

    There is a particular change that, while seemingly nominal, has sparked some controversy; the de facto changing of New Zealand’s name to Aotearoa New Zealand by the Government and in the media.

    Now, I am not seeking to make a judgement call about whether we should change our name or not. That is neither here nor there. I am simply giving voice to the argument that perhaps before the shift began to be put in motion, New Zealanders themselves should have been consulted.

    It is presumptuous and disrespectful to make a decision of such cultural importance for the country without engaging all who live there.

    Sir John Key had the courage to stand by his convictions and let New Zealanders decide whether we should change our flag. No matter where you stood on the issue, you still had the opportunity to have a say. Sir John lost that debate when New Zealand voted to retain the existing flag, and he accepted this verdict.

    Arguably changing the name of the country is even more significant than changing the flag, and it is my belief that the right thing for the Labour Government to do is to advance an open conversation on this.

    For some people, for example those who have represented or fought for New Zealand, there is a very strong connect with our existing name. For others, the te reo name Aotearoa holds greater significance.

    As I see it, there is no right or wrong perspective. However, it is wrong for a public service and Government to decide a way forward with no regard for how New Zealanders think or feel about it.


    Task


    1. What do the words “nominal”, “de facto”, “presumptuous” and “convictions” mean? Write the definition in your own words. 


    1. Why does Stuart Smith think that the New Zealand people should get to vote on changing the name to Aotearoa? Provide two quotes from the text to support your answer

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/125832138/aotearoa-new-zealand-what-if-it-went-to-a-vote


    Lesson 2 - What is a referendum

    What’s the History of referendum in New Zealand?

    Task 1: Find out 6 issues that have been voted on previously made it to the referendum stage in New Zealand. What were the outcomes of these? 


    Task 2: There are two types of referendum. Citizen initiated and Government initiated. The next slide shows you the difference. Select 3 of the referendum you identified above and find out if there were citizen or government initiated referendums.



    Same but Different...


    Read the two excerpts which show the point of view of David Seymour (ACT party leader) and Rawiri Waititi (Māori Party co-leader). 

    Task: They both don’t believe that a referendum is required - but they have different reasons for holding this point of view. Explain what the difference in their point of view on the referendum is.

    RAWIRI WAITITI -  Co leader Māori Party

    This afternoon he [Rawiri Waititi] said questioning the use of the name Aotearoa was absurd.

    "I find it absolutely absurd and I think he [Stuart Smith]  needs his head checked ... it is the name of this country, Aotearoa, and so many of us identify with Aotearoa and I encourage every government department and everybody else out there to continue to use it."

    He noted that the name 'New Zealand' was not taken to a referendum, and "back in 1840, where Pākehā were in the minority, I'm sure they would have lost that referendum".

    He said the rhetoric was unhelpful and divisive.


    DAVID SEYMOUR - Leader of ACT Party


    "Ultimately the Māori Language Act 1987 ... says that Māori is a language of New Zealand. If people want to call it Aotearoa then that's up to them. I prefer New Zealand but I would think New Zealand has bigger issues today than policing what people call the country."

    "Private organisations every day - the olympic committee, the rugby union, Vodafone, Discovery TV - they can decide what to call it, just like you and I every day. I'm not in favour of trying to force everybody to use particular language. The ACT party favours free speech."

    "I just think, ultimately, Stuart Smith needs to focus on bigger issues."



    Lesson 3 - Zeeland

    New Zealand? Where did it come from? 


    Task 1: Read this article on Te Ara and in less than 10 words explain where the name New Zealand came from. 


    Task 2: Find where old Zeeland is on a map and include an image of it. Find out 3 key facts about old Zeeland (e.g. population, popular locations etc)


    Arguments for and Arguments against 


    Look at the resources below and identify the arguments for and against New Zealand changing our official name to Aotearoa.

    Newshub - Duncan Garner: Should we change the name of New Zealand to Aotearoa? (Video)

    (Video)

    Spinoff - It’s time to start calling ourselves Aotearoa New Zealand (Text)

     

    Arguments For

    Arguments Against

    Other Interesting Points 





    		  


    What do you think?

    Do you think that New Zealand should change our name to Aotearoa New Zealand? 

    Do you think we should have a referendum on the issue?  

    Or do you believe that we should just let people decide what they want to refer to the country as? 


    TASK: Write/or record your response. Who do you agree with? Make sure you include at least three compelling reasons to support your opinion on the issue.

    New Zealand’s Forgotten Name - Maoriland


    Read the article “Māoriland: New Zealand's forgotten name”

    Task: Complete the 4cs


    1. What connections do you draw between the article and what you have just learnt about the Aotearoa New Zealand name debate?

    2. What ideas, positions, or assumptions challenged you within the text? 

    3. What key concepts or ideas do you think are important and worth holding on to from the text?

    4. What changes in attitudes, thinking, or action are suggested by the text, either for you or others?

    Note: This is a long article - just read the first section if you don’t feel as though you can read the whole thing.