Whakaterea te waka ki ngā tai hitori o Aotearoa | Voyaging through Aotearoa New Zealand histories

Tuhura atu ki ngā momo i whakanao ai te motu — mai ngā kaiwhakatere tuatahi, ki ngā taunga whenua, tae rawa ki Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a haere ake nei.

Discover what has helped shape our nation — from our early navigators, settlements, first encounters to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and beyond.

Colour artwork of the Pacific Ocean showing the moon lit sky and ocean.

Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa | Pacific Ocean

'It is the water that connects the people of the Pacific … We are the sea, we are the ocean. Oceania is us.'
Colour artwork of the Pacific Ocean, showing the stars and constellations, whales blowing water through their spouts, and distant fleet of waka approaching.

Te whakatere waka i te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa | Pacific navigation

Early Pacific voyagers used cues from the environment — such as the stars, clouds, ocean swells, birds — to navigate Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.
Colour artwork of the Pacific Ocean, showing a fleet of waka sailing towards the coastline.

Ngā manene o Te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa | Pacific voyagers

Māui, Kupe, and other Pacific voyagers used ancestral knowledge and skilful navigation to discover Aotearoa New Zealand.
Colour artwork of a fleet of waka sailing towards the coastline.

Te waka hourua | Waka hourua

Early Pacific explorers crossed Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa in waka hourua (double-hulled craft). See a diagram showing the parts of a waka hourua.
Colour artwork showing waka sailing towards the coastline. A pā overlooks the coast, surrounded by mountains and forest.

Ngā tāngata i tae tuatahi mai i Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa | Early Polynesian arrivals

Early Polynesian settlements quickly adapted to life in Aotearoa New Zealand, living in hapū (tribal groups).
Colour artwork of a pā, showing the whare, palisades, and Māori working in māra kai (food gardens).

Ngā nohonga me ngā porihanga Māori | Māori settlement and society

Learn about Māori society, daily life, food (kai), and māra kai (food gardens) with images of places, people, and objects.
Colour artwork showing a European ship moored alongside waka in a coastal settlement with early European settler housing.

Kaihōpara tauiwi | Non-Māori explorers

Early European explorers included Tasman and Cook. Tupaia, a Tahitian high priest, played a vital role on the HMS Endeavour.
Colour artwork showing 2 waka beside a European ship moored in the bay of an early European settlement.

Ngā tūtakitanga tuatahi | First encounters

Early exchanges between Māori and the crew of the Endeavour were positive and negative. Exchanges included glass, food, and muskets.
Colour artwork of an early European settlement by the coast, showing houses and farms.

Te nohonoho mai o te Pākehā ki Aotearoa | European settlement

European settlement brought new plants and animals and new industries like gold mining. Missionaries also came to spread God's word.
Colour artwork showing a geographic view of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific Ocean.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi

Explore the history of Te Tiriti o Waitangi — why it was needed, its 2 versions, and who signed the Treaty.
Colour artwork showing an aurora and stars.

I muri mai i Te Tiriti o Waitangi | Post-Treaty of Waitangi

Take a look at some of the conflicts and political changes that have shaped Aotearoa New Zealand since Te Tiriti | the Treaty was signed.
Colour artwork showing a kuaka (bar-tailed godwit) flying with stars in the background.

Explore more: Resources, activities, AR app

Download the Tuia Mātauranga app to bring your voyage through Aotearoa New Zealand's histories to life.