Topics: Christianity, colonisation, education, first school, Hongi Hika, missionaries, New Zealand history, Rangihoua, Ruatara, Samuel Marsden, school, te kura tuatahi, Te Pahi, te reo Māori, Thomas Kendall, values
This article explores the work of a prize-winning West Auckland photographer whose work has been shown around the world. Edith Amituanai photographs the ordinary, everyday world around her, documenting it as a record for the future.
"Rain spat at Meggie as she trudged home through storm-darkened streets. Being mocked at school for opposing the Springbok tour had put her in a black mood."
This historical fiction, set in 1845, is told from the point of view of a young Māori protaganist. Haora works in the printery at Kororāreka at the time when war was building between Ngāpuhi chief Hone Heke (Hone Wiremu Heke Pōkai) and the British troops.
This is a fantasy story with a serious flavour. The indirect unfolding of the story allows students to make their own way through the text, piecing information together as they go.
"School camp. Kenzie’s seen the photos from last year. It looks nice: little cabins clustered around a central dining hall; grassy paddocks with giant macrocarpas; picnic tables and a fire pit; a green river, deep and shady, with a slide and a swimming hole."
Puffin, the farm cat, is looking for a warm, quiet place to sleep. It’s too noisy inside, but he can’t seem to find a suitable place outside either. After facing challenges from various animals, including a dramatic encounter with some cows, Puffin finally manages to find just the right place.
by Lucas Yee, year 5, Russley School; illustration by Lisa Baudry
Our grandad adores his new couch. The old, red, torn one goes out, the brand-new, avocado-green one comes in wrapped in plastic, slippery like arctic ice, not coming off for a week.
You hear a lion-like roar from him, his face a shade of red as the cat tries to strike when the plastic comes off. Protective blankets engulf the couch from head to toe like a warm campfire on a cold winter’s night.
"Before she threw back the covers, May’s eyes fell on the brand-new Wheeler & Wilson sewing machine, which stood black and gleaming like a cat on the dresser. How wonderful of Papa to buy it for her! He’d talked about nothing else since he’d brought it home: how many dresses May could sew in a week right here in her bedroom, how much money she could make, what a help it would be."