Travelling from the busy streets of Auckland to the quiet roads of the Bay of Islands, the Level 3 History students were ready to go on a new and exciting adventure.
On a journey to discover and uncover truths about the Treaty of Waitangi and the Northern War, Mrs Stickland, Mrs Stevens and the Year 13 students made their way over to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and were greeted and welcomed on to the grounds with a Mihi Whakatau. One of our own students, Caleb Oliver, replied with a mihi and we sang a waiata in response. After the mihi whakatau, we were taken on a guided tour around the treaty grounds and were blessed with an incredible view of the neighbouring peninsula of Russell/Kororareka.
After lunch we were surrounded by the beauty that is Kororareka. Catching a ferry from Paihia to Russell, the students were welcomed on the peninsula by our tour guide, Kate. Taken on a historical tour, we ended up at the Kororareka cemetery where Tamati Waka Nene’s headstone rests. We then headed to the house where Bishop Pompallier himself stayed, and connected with the spiritual aspect of the trip, saying a prayer and singing a waiata. From there, the group split up and half made the trek up Maiki Hill (Flagstaff Hill) whilst the other half stayed behind and continued to roam around the cemetery. Regrouping at 4:45pm to catch the 5pm ferry, the history group finished their research for the day.
Making their way back to Saltwater Lodge, the group were summoned to participate in a games night organised by Mrs Stevens. What a great and exciting way to end off a culturally and historically eye-opening day.
The students spent their second and last day visiting some of the battle sites where the Northern War was fought. The first stop was at Ohaewai. It was here that the students and the teachers met with their tour guide, Kevin. Together they explored the pa and the cemetery where both Maori and British chiefs have been laid to rest. Kevin also led the students through a re-enactment of a battle scene, where the students had to march in lines similar to how the British soldiers marched toward the pa.
Later on in the day Kevin led the group to Ruapekapeka, the last battle site of the Northern War. To this day the trenches the Maori used during the 19th century could still be seen dotting the landscape overlooking the Bay of Islands. The history and even the mana of the landscape could certainly be felt by anyone who visits the battle site.
The Northern War history trip was an eye-opening experience for the students. They were able to gather knowledge for their internal, but were also informed on the hidden history of New Zealand, making them more aware of why and how our nation has been shaped to what it is today.
Angelika Bilbao and Martina Kleis
