Ideas for Teaching Kids About New Zealand
New Zealand History
- Awesome Aotearoa by Margaret Mahy
- Builders of New Zealand read a review by Chelle here
- Let's Visit New Zealand by John C Caldwell.© 1963
This book does cover the history of New Zealand but beware it has a nasty edge. Read my review here.
This took a few hours to read and was a good overview of the history, geography and social issues of New Zealand. It has been reprinted a few times.
- *Penguin History of New Zealand by Michael King
- *Colonial Church Histories New Zealand by Rev. Henry Jacobs
- *The New Zealand Wars on DVD
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New Zealand Christian History
- New Zealand has a wonderful Christian heritage. This links will point you to a few resources.
*1858 –Translation of the Bible into Maori by Reverend Mr Maunsell
Here is a list of original books written about the New Zealand and church history. There are 13 titles.
New Zealand Flags and Symbols Lapbook
is a fun resource to do with your child that will teach them all about New Zealand's Flags and Symbols while they cut, paste and colour in. This simple lapbook to be done by as part of your New Zealand studies.
New Zealand Nature Study
Nature Talks to New Zealanders by Crosbie Morrison
This living book will take you on a journey with the author as he travels New Zealand and finds out about the local wildlife and natural wonders. I thoroughly recommend this book as a read aloud and for nature study. The author is a naturalist with an excellent sense of humour.
Meet the Locals Watch is a NZ TV show. You can watch short episodes on New Zealand Wildlife from their web site.
New Zealand Literature
Downunder Dictation New Zealand Version
All the excerpts are from whole or ‘living’ Australian and New Zealand literature, dating from 1769-2007.
We have selected a broad range of good Australian and New Zealand literature that we believe will be educational, encouraging, uplifting and bring delight to you and your students. Our extracts are chosen from material which dates from 1700’s-2007 . It includes classic fiction, poetry, songs, biographies, studies of nature and explorers’ journals.
New Zealand Historical Fiction for Children
Picture Books
*Papa's Island by Melanie Drewery (author), Fifi Colston (illustrator)
This story is based on real events that took place in New Zealand during World War II. Somes Island in Wellington Harbour was used as a prison camp for enemy aliens in both World War I and World War II. Often these men were arrested with no warning and some were held unfairly. Their families did not always speak good English and many were confused about why their husbands and fathers were being taken. This beautiful story from Melanie Drewery tells the story of one such family.
- *Maoriland Fairy Tales by Edith Howes
- 1860’s Valley of Heavenly Gold by Eve Sutton© 1987. A father goes into the New Zealand gold fields and makes a find. When he comes home sick his son goes to find the gold. Great courage is required by the boy and he finds great comfort in his fathers's bible. Suggested Age: 10+
- Early 1900’s Six Little New Zealanders by Esther Glen © 1917. This title is a parody of The Seven Little Australian. Ester Glen was a contemporary of Ethel Turner. This book is written with good humour and a little cheek. While reading it I had a few laugh out loud experiences. It is about a family who go to live on a farm with their bachelor uncles.
Suggested Age: 10+ - 1910 A Comet in the Sky by Phyllis Johnston ©1985 This is based on a true story about the author’s mother May and events during her growing up years. May is around 12 years old and we hear adventures of her school life, farm life and family struggles. Then There Were Nine by Phyllis Johnston ©1985 is also part of this series. Read a review of Comet In The Sky
- *Silver Island by Edith Howes 1928 The first children's adventure and survival story to be written by a New Zealander. Jim, Enid and Wuffles are staying with their Aunt Kathleen. They dream of somehow getting to Silver Island to explore it, find the silver said to be there, and become rich. Suggested Age: 10+
- *The Drover's Road Collection by Joyce West. This set of stories is about life on a sheep station, in remote country at the back of Gisborne where horses provide the fun, and equestrian events such as hunts, shows and races are the background to much of the social life described in these books.
- River Road
- Sea Island
- Drover's Road
Novels
Suggested Age: 10+
* indicates that I have not personally read or seen the mentioned resource.
Other Useful New Zealand Web links
Create an Educational Keepsake with our
New Zealand Notebooking Pages
Making a notebook an excellent way to use different resources to create an educational keepsake of New Zealand studies.
With notebooking, learning is not limited to a textbook or a worksheet but rather to what has captured the child’s interest or to what they know.
New Zealand Notebooking Pages
This versatile and practical resource and can be used with many New Zealand resources. There is no right or wrong way to use these pages. Find out more....
For a list of homeschooling support groups in New Zealand follow this link
Saint Mary MacKillop Lapbook is a hands-on activity, written with passion, that can be used to teach children in a fun and interesting way about the life of Australasia’s first canonised saint in the Catholic church.