Week One: In the Beginning (1800-1870)
Cool Kiwi Fact #1: Did you know that the Māori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa? Loosely translated this means ‘land of the long white cloud.’
Day 1: Arriving in New Zealand…
Activity 1: The First Settlers
On my blog, I am going to tell you three facts that I have learned about this interesting man. (Who is Maui). What other stories have I heard about Maui?
1st Fact: Maui made a fishing rod out of Flax and a jawbone. also he sang a karakai so it would give his fishing line strength.
2 nd Fact: If Maui sings a karakia many fish will come up.
3 rd Fact: When Maui put his rod in the water they went somewhere and the hing that was pulling them was a gift from grandmother, Murirangawhenua.
Activity 2: Setting Sail
The first settlers to come to New Zealand must have been really brave! They had to leave their original homes and sail thousands of miles across the ocean on a special boat called a ‘waka’ to reach New Zealand.
Imagine that you were on board one of the wakas. On your blog, write a short letter to a friend telling them about your voyage to New Zealand. In the letter be sure to tell them how you feel about moving to a new country.
I am so nervous I am moving to another voyage. Are you going any were? I am going to New Zealand. It is going to be so boring. We had to leave their original homes and sail thousands of miles across the ocean on a special boat called a ‘waka’ to reach New Zealand. Well better go now.
Bonus Activity: Waka Ama
To this day, the people of New Zealand still use waka. Instead of using their waka to transport them from one place to another, they sometimes use waka in special events and in sporting competitions such as Waka Ama. Both boys and girls compete in Waka Ama boat races.
Watch this short video of a Waka Ama race. On your blog tell us whether you would like to be in a Waka Ama race one day. Why or why not?
I would like to be in a waka ama race one day because I just want to have fun and a good experience