By Izzy Brown Yr 8 Maraetarata

Did you know that some children in Aotearoa could tell you more about American History than our own country (Aotearoa)? Do you want it to continue to be like this? I firmly believe that we should educate all age groups in Aotearoa NZ Histories at school. Some of my reasons are that learning Aotearoa histories allows us to observe and understand how people behaved in the past, that it helps us shape who we are and discover how our ancestors came to live here and that we learn from the past.

Firstly, learning Aotearoa NZ Histories at school allows us to observe and understand how people behaved in the past. People in the Taranaki War or the Northern war had life a lot different than we have it now. For example, the Taranaki war was fought between 1860 and 1861. Back then they didn't have TVs or Alarm Clocks or anything like that. There was war and destruction and people lost their lives in battle. The Aotearoa History allows us to look back at the past and understand why people behaved like they did because the world was very different back then. This is one of the reasons why I believe that Aotearoa NZ Histories should be taught to all ages in school.

Secondly, Aotearoa NZ Histories helps us shape who we are and allows us to discover how our ancestors came to live here in NZ. Masses of people have fled to NZ. Were your ancestors one of them? Aoteroa Histories might help you learn how your ancestors came to NZ. Have you ever done an ancestry test or anything like that? Well, they tell you who your ancestors were. Learning about NZ histories you might see one of your oldest ancestors and decide to follow in their footsteps. You might learn that one of your ancestors is a Polynesian Panther which might encourage you to join a similar group. Your ancestors can shape who you are. They might be the reason you go to Church or have a special Christmas tradition. This is another reason why I believe Aotearoa Histories should be taught to children of all ages in school.

Lastly, we learn from the past. In the NZ wars 1.3 million hectares of Maori land was confiscated. Many Maori lost their homes. However we have learned from our mistakes, most of the land though some of it not to the right owners has been given back. The government knows that there is not much they can do to repair the whole situation but they are trying their best to patch it up as best they can. Maori can also submit a land claim individually or with their iwi to repossess their land. This is another reason why I am convinced that Aoetearoa NZ Histories should be taught in schools to all ages.

So, to conclude. For those three reasons; that Aotearoa histories allows us to observe and understand how people behaved in the past, how Aotearoa Histories helps us shape who we are and how our ancestors came to live here and that we learn from the past, I am certain that Aotearoa Histories should be taught in schools to all ages.

Izzy Brown Year 8 Maraetarata