In this topic we will look at the history, articles and principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi and seeing how it relates to shaping early childhood education in Aotearoa | New Zealand. To give context to some of this information we will also look at the importance of Māori as tangata whenua of Aotearoa and aspects of te ao Māori, te reo Māori and tikanga Māori which affect ECE.
Taking its name from the place it was signed in February 1840, te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand’s founding document and plays a crucial role in the relationship between the New Zealand government and the indigenous Māori population. As part of your written assessment for this module you will be exploring and explaining the role it plays in creating curricula for early childhood learning and how its principles are embodied and incorporated into Te Whāriki. You will also be explaining the history and key players in the creation and signing of this important document.
Watch
The Waitangi | Treaty Waitangi
A brief introduction to some of the background events leading to the signing of te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi
Expected Duration: 3:51 minutes
Questions
Pre Watch Question: Watch the videos outlining the story behind the signing of te Tirit o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi to get an understanding of its background.
Post Watch Task: After watching the next video, make your notes about key points around the history of the treaty.
Watch
S1 E4: Te Tiriti o Waitangi | RNZ
In Europe, factions argue over the future of Aotearoa. Colonisation? Protection for indigenous peoples? Meanwhile Māori have their own ideas how to handle the growing number of Pakeha. In the end, Te Tiriti o Waitangi is signed, but the early promise quickly turns to confusion and, ultimately, war
Expected Duration: 18:25 minutes
Post Watch Task: Using the information from the videos and other sources, write a brief list of the key dates, events and people involved leading up to the development and signing of the treaty.
Consider the reasons it was drawn up and some of the earlier contacts between Europeans and Māori.
Information should be kept concise and highlight the most important events, the significance of the event, when they took place and who was involved.
Create a timeline (digital or physical) to show a visual representation and upload a copy of digital timelines or display physical drawings on the classroom wall.
If you studied for the Level 4 Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care at NZMA you will already be familiar with the key principles enshrined in the Waitangi | Treaty Waitangi. We will be building on your existing knowledge to examine how these principles inform and shape curricula used in early childhood education and care settings through Te Whāriki, and how this impacts the education of infants, toddlers and young children.
Reading
Te Tiriti o Waitangi – living the values
An explanation of the importance of reflecting the principles of Waitangi | Treaty Waitangi in the classroom
Expected Duration: 15 minutes
Recap Activity
Look back at what you have studied in the past about te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi and make you own notes:
- Briefly summarise the three main articles of te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi in your own words.
- Explain in your own words how each of the articles of te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi can be represented by “Partnership, Protection and Participation”.
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi is central to many areas of life in Aotearoa | New Zealand and forms the core for ECE practice through te Whāriki. Explain how the three principles of te Tiriti (Partnership, Protection, Participation) impact on the activities of kaiako or management of ECE services with respect to each of: infants, toddlers and young children
Reading
Te Whāriki Early Childhood Curriculum Document
The official te Whāriki site, where you can download a copy of the document, along with other useful resources.
Questions
Pre Read Question: Download a copy of te Whāriki if you don’t already have a copy. Make sure to save it somewhere you can find it easily so you can access it and refer to it in your studies.
