Understanding the relevance of the three founding documents, He Whakaputanga/Declaration of independence, Te Tiriti o Waitangi/ToW, Women’s Suffrage Petition, to the citizens of Aotearoa NZ today.

On March 25th, six students from schools in the west and south Auckland and their resource teachers visited the He Tohu exhibition at the National Library in Parnell. It was going to be a remarkable day, but It all began with a west/Central Auckland syndicate visit to the He Tohu exhibition late in 2019; planning continued for this EOTC event over the summer of 2019/2020 at a Titirangi cafe and with pre-site visits and discussions at Parnell Library. Sadly, then, the visit was postponed due to lockdown; but then picked up again and moved forward by our lead teacher at the end of 2020. Finally with all the e-paper was completed and signed off, and we were 'good to go'. As the He Tohu presenter said when meeting us at the National Library - by March 25th, 2021 ... we already felt like old friends! 

We drove into our undercover designated parking and were greeted warmly on arrival. We were offered hot chocolate, tea, and coffee and sat offered comfy couches to wait on while munching on chocolate biscuits until the time for the He Tohu presentation at 10.30 am. Well, most of us munched on chocolate biscuits - there was a lively Tik Tok corner too!

Finally - 10.30 am and time for the presentation. We were led to the He Tohu exhibition area and sat at lecture-type seats with tables to lean on and take notes. When the blinds were opened on the far wall - we could even see the building where the original treaty document was stored (and saved from fire) while it was in Auckland. The next two and a quarter hours were riveting. We traveled through time as the presenter used PowerPoint, and narration to present us with a historical narrative that began when British sailors first arrived on our shores, right up to the occupation of Bastion Point. The students were given an opportunity to role-play actual historical events with gorgeous costumes and props.

Finally, it was time to say goodbye and to leave for lunch at Bastion point. There, at this historic landmark, new friendships continued to blossom and old friends continued to chat and catch up until it was time to pack up and return to school.