Year 13 History recently had a wonderful experience exploring the history of Akaroa.

In Year 13 History, our current assessment is about gathering and analysing sources. Our topic for this task is the history of Akaroa. This means that each of our assessments are unique through the different aspects we each focus on. These focuses range from the French settlers, to the historically significant events for Aotearoa that occurred at Takapūneke. To aid in our understanding of these events and help us gather sources we made for Akaroa on Sunday the 21st of May.

After reaching Akaroa on Sunday evening, we were pleasantly greeted by a beautiful view of Akaroa’s harbour Monday morning. To start off our trip, Marie from ‘The Seventh Generation’ gave us a tour of Akaroa. Beginning with Māori history in the area, to the conflict between Ngāti Toa and Ngāi Tahu with the interference of Captain Stewart and his Brig Elizabeth, to the French’s attempt to establish a little slice of France in Akaroa. This included Marie’s personal connection to Akaroa’s history, as her tour company’s name suggests, of being a seventh generation descendant of French individuals who arrived in Akaroa on the Comte de Paris.

The rest of Monday, continuing to midday Tuesday, was filled with valuable time spent at Akaroa’s Museum. Where, with the help of the museum’s director, Lynda Wallace (along with Mr Dawson and Ms Robinsons’) we worked on more specific research for our topics, and gathering sources. Scattered throughout our work were sneaky visits to the likes of ‘Waffle Haus’ and other cafés. Our trip was perfectly balanced.

As we left on Tuesday we visited Ōnuku Church, passing by Ōnuku Marae, too. Our last visit was to view the French Farm House, with its obtrusive - yet protective - shelter built (only recently) over the building, which, itself, dates back to the first French settlers.

A massive thank you to Mr Dawson for organising the trip and Ms Robinson’s help!

By Kelsey-Anne Davis