Ngāmotu: New Arrivals

What happens when different communities’ hopes and realities don't match? 

Discover the story of the New Plymouth settlement and follow the relationships that shaped life in Ngāmotu. Through hands-on activities, and historical inquiry, ākonga uncover the connections forged between Mana Whenua and the whalers and sealers who arrived on Taranaki's coast, investigating how trade and cooperation created opportunities for people to learn from one another. 

As the story unfolds, ākonga will examine why people chose to leave their homes and travel across the world to begin new lives in Taranaki. They will be exposed to the hopes and expectations that drew people here and reflect on what happened when different understandings of land, authority, and belonging met in the same place.  

While younger learners focus on the stories and connections that shaped early Ngāmotu, older students interpret how differing worldviews influenced relationships, decision-making, and later conflict. 

This session pairs well with our Pacific Navigation lesson, Ngā Wā o Mua I Early Māori Living and/or a visit to Te Whare Hononga.