Doors open online to Wairarapa history

RESOURCEFUL: Joseph Potangaroa from Rangitane o Wairarapa (left), Megan Roberts and Paul Andersen have created an online resource to help teachers and pupils learn about the people, places and history of the Wairarapa district. PHOTO/ANDREW BONALLACK

A new online "one-stop shop" is making it easier for teachers and pupils to learn about Wairarapa's places, people and culture.

Rangitane o Wairarapa has partnered with teachers from Opaki, Lakeview and Masterton intermediate schools to create a free resource for teachers called Iti Kahurangi - a Rangitane o Wairarapa Education Curriculum, which is designed to give teachers the confidence to teach their pupils about the culture and history of Wairarapa.

Project co-ordinator Joseph Potangaroa said the idea for the curriculum, which was sponsored by the Ministry of Education, was sparked by teachers contacting Rangitane for help.

"Teachers were contacting Mike Kawana and I and just asking for help, mostly surrounding culture and history. There's not that much information out there, still."

Mr Potangaroa said the curriculum, which includes 35 units grouped into four sections based on tikanga, kaiarahi (learning about people), papakainga (learning about places), and tina (doing, actions) was designed to "give teachers confidence they didn't have before".

While created for Year 7 and 8 pupils, the curriculum can be adapted and the community and literacy-based activities could be extended or minimised for younger or older children.

The team for the project also included Mike Kawana as cultural adviser, Lucy Zouch from Opaki School, Megan Roberts from Masterton Intermediate School and Paul Andersen from Lakeview School.

Teacher Mrs Roberts said there was a clear need for such a resource in the community.

"It's like a one-stop shop ... people wanted somewhere to go to get some information or support. If you are not from here and you don't know the tikanga and you don't have links, you can feel a bit like you are at the end of the road."

The curriculum was designed to incorporate field trips which brought local stories to life, Mrs Roberts said.

"It's really opened their eyes to these rivers and mountains that they see - what actually are the history of those rivers and mountains and marae that are out there? It's meeting our people and knowing our places.

"It's quite moving as a teacher to see the next generation of kids hearing the history and the knowledge and become excited about the learning."

Teacher Mr Andersen said the group hoped pupils would gain an appreciation for some of the "recent history and amazing people and stories that we have in our area".

"The main thing is that it's ours, so it's authentic."

The group has been contacting school principals in the district to let them know the curriculum is now available online.

Iti Kahurangi can be downloaded from the website www.rangitane.iwi.nz