The Aotearoa New Zealand History Curriculum
The Aotearoa New Zealand History Curriculum ensures that our ākonga are critical thinkers and understand our past, in order to make sense of the present. Addison and Marcus created their big focus question and researched Captain Cook whilst forming their own conclusions.
Name: Marcus
Big Clever Question: Why do we commemorate Captain Cook when he killed so many Māori chiefs?
In this report, I will explain why Captain Cook is commemorated and why he maybe shouldn’t be. James Cook was born on the 7th of November 1728. Before coming to New Zealand, Cook was a seaman for the navy on a ship named Pembroke. He was later promoted to the Captian of The Endeveaour before his great voyage to New Zealand. According to Plimmertonrotary's article on James Cook, when Cook first saw the Māori do a Haka, his men opened fire in fear that the Māori would attack them.
Cook is a hero and historical figure in many people’s eyes. He has many things commemorating him. These include; Mt Cook, Cook Strait, Cook’s Beach, Cook’s Channel, Cook’s Cove, and James Cook Observatory. Also, Captain Cook has many statues Honouring him, but is this necessary or even ok to have so many things celebrating him, considering he killed so many Māori in cold blood?
Did Cook deserve all of the love that he has been given? Many people have been targeting James Cook, saying he is a villain for multiple reasons. For example, he and his men murdered many Māori. In addition, Cook had the idea of kidnapping a local chief's daughter to ensure the chief would trade with him. Unfortunately, this idea did not turn out so well for Cook. When the chief learned his daughter was missing at the hands of Cook, his tribe attacked his men and killed several dozen of them until, eventually, the tribe’s men were wiped out, and the daughter was killed because she was no further use to Cook. These are just some examples of Cook’s horrendous behaviour.
Although Cook’s behaviour may be considered horrible or racist, he may make up for it in his good deeds throughout his lifetime. Some people say Captian James Cook ‘discovered’ New Zealand while others say indigenous Māori did. He must have been a pretty important cartographer and naval officer, considering King George III asked him to search for the lost continent on the opposite side of the world. Although this does not mean he was a pleasant person.
In conclusion, Captain James Cook discovered many islands and drew the first map of New Zealand. These are likely reasons why so many things commemorate him, but this does not excuse his wrongdoings. Celebrating Cook for the good things he has done is okay, but if you consider the horrific things he has done, it outweighs the acceptable. “Good. Better. Best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best.” - St. Jerome.
References:
Wikipedia - James Cook Biography
Plimmertonrotary - Captain Cook Hero or Villian
Name: Addison
Big Clever Question: Why is Captain Cook such a controversial person?
Have you ever wondered why it is such a controversial topic when people talk about Captain Cook? Captain Cook may have been explained as a great explorer, but he is now seen as a cruel resentful ‘villain’ who looked to kill Māori and violently steal their land. Although there isn't a right or wrong answer about whether he's good or bad, it's always good to understand why he is so controversial.
News.com.au has said that for years Australia has had calls asking for the cook statue to be removed. But Australia’s former prime minister, Scott Morrison, defended Cook's legacy and stated there was ‘ no slavery in Australia ‘ which has triggered claims saying ‘he didn’t know the history of the country he led.’ Politicians from both sides of the controversial argument have refused calls asking for the Cook statues to be removed. Peter Dutton told channel nine’s ‘Today Show’, ‘I don’t think ripping pages out of history books and brushing over parts of history that you don’t agree with, or you don’t like, is something the Australian public is going to embrace’. He also said, ‘There are good and bad parts of our history’ and …‘You learn from that.’
To understand why Captain Cook is as controversial as he is today, I think it’s important to understand both views of the argument. Most people commemorate him because of his hard work in mapping out the east coast of Australia, which made it clear for the British settlement to go through 18 years later. He is thought to be one of the greatest navigators and explorers of all time, and even before his passing, he was celebrated as a British National hero and icon.
Unfortunately, that wasn't all he was known for. In other eyes, he was seen as a cruel and resentful man whose first encounter with Māori was unsuccessful, with a fight breaking out, killing four marines; Corporal James Thomas, Private Theophilus Hinks, Private Thomas Fatchett and Private John Allen. Two others were also wounded in the process. According to Stuff’s article, Captain Cook’s statue in Gisborne, has been repeatedly vandalized with red paint, sparking a strong debate about the legacy of colonialism in New Zealand. This has resulted in people questioning the policy of having full political control over another country. Stuff.co.nz
In contrast, the article Tuia 250: Captain James Cook Hero or Villain has wisely said it has become harder than ever to know what to say about Captain James Cook.
In conclusion, people will probably always be mad at Cook for what he did to the Māori, but he will also be remembered as a great explorer and navigator who helped map the east coast of Australia and New Zealand. So although it is always good to understand and remember the Māori who faced attack from Cook and his crew, it is also good to focus on some of the good things he accomplished without a label of good or evil on him.