Focus: Explore how the past has shaped identity and society.

Achievement objectives:

• Explore how historic sites like Ōtūmoetai Pā embody connections to the land, cultural identity, and heritage, and how they help explain relationships between people, places, and events over time.

• Understand how people remember and interpret history, reflecting the values, identities, and worldviews of individuals and groups (for example, mana whenua perspectives on Ōtūmoetai Pā).

• Investigate the impact of significant historical events and changes, such as the New Zealand Wars and land confiscations, on local and national identity.

• Examine how cultural and heritage preservation, through the work of kaitiaki and institutions like Heritage New Zealand, maintains connections to whakapapa and community history.

• Explore how knowledge is preserved and shared, including oral traditions, artefacts, and written records.

• Formulate questions about Ōtūmoetai Pā and its significance (for example, What can artefacts tell us about daily life at the Pā?).

• Gather and analyse evidence from diverse sources, including archaeological reports, oral histories, and taonga.

• Evaluate the ethical considerations of archaeology, including the handling and interpretation of taonga.

• Consider diverse perspectives, including mana whenua and governmental approaches to heritage preservation.

Focus: Archaeology as an intersection of science and culture.

Living World (Te Ao Tūroa)

• Ecological interactions:

  • Explore how early inhabitants at Ōtūmoetai Pā used natural resources sustainably, such as fishing, planting, and gathering.

  • Investigate the relationships between people and the environment in shaping the landscape of the Pā (for example, terrace construction, use of native plants).

• Adaptation and survival:

  • Study how the Pā's fortifications and resource management were adapted to the local environment to support the community's survival.

Material World (Te Ao Kiko)

• Properties and changes of materials:

  • Analyse materials used in artefacts (for example, pounamu, bone, shell) and understand how their properties influenced their use.

  • Explore how environmental factors (for example, moisture, temperature) affect the preservation of artefacts and structures over time.

• Chemical interactions:

  • Learn about the processes used in preserving artefacts, such as storage and stabilisation treatments.

Physical World (Te Ao Pūtaiao)

• Forces and energy:

  • Investigate how forces, such as erosion and earthquakes, impact archaeological sites and artefact preservation.

  • Understand the role of physical tools and methods, such as ground-penetrating radar or LiDAR, in studying site features.

Earth and Space Science (Te Ao Mārama)

• Earth systems:

  • Study soil composition and stratigraphy to understand how layers of sediment reveal timelines and human activity at Ōtūmoetai Pā.

  • Examine the natural processes (for example, erosion, deposition) that shape landscapes and affect the visibility of historic sites.

Nature of Science (Te Māramatanga o te Pūtaiao)

• Investigating in science:

  • Use scientific methods to explore evidence, such as measuring soil samples, analysing artefacts, or studying environmental data.

• Communicating in science:

  • Present scientific findings related to the archaeology, regulation and preservation of Ōtūmoetai Pā in a way that integrates cultural and historical narratives.

• Participating and contributing:

  • Consider the societal impacts of science in archaeology, such as how findings contribute to cultural heritage and decision-making about preservation.

Focus: Using creative expression to explore historical connections.

Achievement objectives:

• Explore how taonga and artefacts can inspire creative works, helping to convey the significance of ancestral heritage and cultural identity.

• Use storytelling, visual arts, or performance to communicate the narratives of Ōtūmoetai Pā.

Focus: Communicating ideas and insights about history.

Achievement objectives:

• Research and synthesise information about historic places and their stories, presenting findings through writing, speaking, or multimedia.

• Understand and use language that reflects cultural narratives, such as whakapapa, wairua, and kaitiakitanga.

Nature of Technology

• Examine ethical considerations and the impact of technology on cultural heritage, including how taonga are shared or digitised.

Technological Practice

• Develop and implement solutions to represent or preserve aspects of Ōtūmoetai Pā.

Technological Knowledge

• Understand the properties and suitability of various tools and techniques in studying and conserving taonga.