Our Year 13 History class visited the Hocken Library last week. They were guided by Amanda Mills, an AV and Music Archivist who was incredibly helpful.

Students were able to look at some of Ōtepoti and Ōtākou’s first documents written between missionaries and Kai Tahu. They were also able to engage with facsimiles of the Declaration of Independence, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Among the collections in the Hocken is a facsimile of the Waikato-Manukau sheet, the only sheet written in English. 

We also took a look at the Kai Tahu deeds, as well as wider land deeds. Students are currently studying the perspectives at the time of the Treaty, and are discussing the importance of honouring our founding documents. 

The Hocken Library is truly a historian’s dream, and the students are very lucky to be able to visit.