New Zealand History, Culture and Conflict: A Museum Perspective (FutureLearn)

Track the migration of the first Māori people to settle on these islands

Travelling back to ~1280 AD, you’ll learn how Pacific navigators braved the ocean to become the first human settlers of Aotearoa.

You’ll learn how they made these islands their own, creating a culture reflecting the natural environment around them using folklore and festivities.

Building on this knowledge, you’ll explore how contemporary New Zealanders are taking steps to protect their heritage and recognise Māori customs.

Examine the impact of British colonialism and the power struggle that followed

With the arrival of western explorers and British settlers came conflict, colonisation, and a bloody legacy that is still felt today.

You’ll chart how colonialism threatened the Māori way of life, eventually resulting in the Treaty of Waitangi. You’ll assess the reasons for the treaty and analyse the problems it created.

Viewing the treaty from an indigenous perspective, you’ll be able to identify colonial bias and reflect on the impact of the treaty on people today.

Explore the role of Te Papa Tongarewa as a living museum

The ever evolving bicultural society of Aotearoa has helped shape a nation’s unique perspective on culture and heritage.

In the final week of this course, you’ll learn how Te Papa Tongarewa continues to protect and preserve Māori culture, bringing together social and natural history to celebrate a fascinating, yet complex culture.

What topics will you cover?

- The indigenous history of Aotearoa New Zealand

- The colonial history of New Zealand

- The history of conflict in New Zealand

- The role of the Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand’s past and present

- The role of a museum in sharing and stewarding a bicultural nations stories and objects

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

- Describe ways that early Pacific Navigators made it to New Zealand shores

- Summarise some Māori ways of tracking the year and seasons

- Summarise key events and conflicts in New Zealand’s social history including the Treaty of Waitangi

- Compare how New Zealand colonial/indigenous relationships may differ from those in other nations

- Engage with Museum based cultural education in New Zealand

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone with an interest in the Pacific region, museums, science, history, culture, or the arts.

It is suitable for anyone wanting to gain introductory insights into New Zealand history and culture.