Pakaraka - birthplace of Hōne Heke

Header Image: Students were fascinated with the unique taonga on display in Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi - a window to the past

A signing activity with a feather quill pen had a special connection to their school’s area; Hōne Wiremu Heke Pōkai (Hōne Heke), the first rangatira to sign Te Tiriti/The Treaty, was born in Pakaraka, Bay of Islands around 1807.

Students designed their own tohu (mark or sign) and signed a paper sheet, imagining what it was like for Hōne Heke on 6 February 1840 as he made his mark on history.  In Te Kōngahu Museum, they discovered some special personal taonga (treasured objects) that belonged to this important rangatira from their area.

This group had a big focus on the importance of respect, working together and leadership. Students got to grips with their hoe (paddles) as they practiced simple waka drills, learning to work in unison. As they ‘paddle’ their waka, students imagine what it was like for those first arrivals to Aotearoa as they sailed across Moana-nui-a-Kiwa – the vast Pacific Ocean. What would it have been like on a wild, stormy night? They think about the bravery of these explorers and their incredible skills in traditional navigation methods.

Our ed team had an awesome Education Experience with this local school – ngā mihi nui ki a koutou ngā kaiako, ngā kaimahi, ngā ākonga me te whānau o te Kura o Pakaraka. Hoki mai ano!