Opinion: Children should learn New Zealand history

Carved wooden pou mark the site of Pukehinahina, the Battle of Gate Pa. Photo/file

Growing up in New Zealand, my knowledge of my country's history is horribly lacking.

Throughout all 13 of my school years, the only New Zealand history we ever learned was a brief overview of the Treaty of Waitangi and the heroic parts played by Kiwis in the two World Wars.

I can remember spending an entire term learning about the Russian Revolution, another term on Gandhi and countless weeks investigating the spread of the black plague in the Middle Ages.

It wasn't until I left school and became a reporter that I learned about New Zealand's own wars in the 1800s. I knew the land wars had happened but, other than vague notions about land confiscation, had no real idea about the events so important to my own history.

Three years ago, I was asked to cover the lead up to the Pukehinahina (Battle of Gate Pa) 150 year commemorations and it came as a huge shock to learn an actual battle had been fought under the shopping centre where I buy all my craft materials.

The first time I heard the story about Maori warriors giving wounded British soldiers water after the battle, it made the hairs stand up on my arms. I was so proud of the mana of these people.

Learning of the slaughter at Te Ranga weeks after Pukehinahina made me deeply ashamed and angry.

As described by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, British troops exacted terrible vengeance for their loss at Gate Pa, killing more than 100 warriors and burying them in the Te Ranga trenches, where they still lie today.

These events are so important to New Zealand's history, yet many Kiwis have never heard the names Pukehinahina or Te Ranga.

It's time to teach all Kiwi children the history of their own country.