By MATHEW DEARNALEY and DITA DE BONI
The Prime Minister's apology to Samoa has focused attention on the teaching of local history in schools.
The revelations of dark deeds committed by New Zealand administrations in Samoa early last century came as a surprise to most people.
But comparing the English History Reader,
used in our schools in the 19th century, to the 1920s Our Nation's Story and today's multi-media, multi-ethnic history curriculum offerings starkly illustrates how times have changed.
Until the late 1940s, New Zealand history was almost non-existent in schools. The British Empire was the main focus, including the first meeting with "natives", a side-story.
But the modern version of history - which has been criticised for being overly politically correct - places Maori at the centre of this country's history.
It also highlights the stories of Pacific peoples under seemingly inept New Zealand rule.
Modern prescriptions for fifth, sixth and seventh formers are heavily flavoured with the history of Maori and Pakeha interaction and social trends within Maori communities.
And this year, "Why was blood spilled in Samoa in 1929?" has been developed for fifth formers taking social studies in schools with large Pacifica populations.
Dr Hugh Laracy, a Pacific Islands history specialist, at Auckland University, has taught about New Zealand's involvement in Samoa for some years and believes it offers fertile ground for study in schools.
"It raises questions of leadership failing under pressure - it's a wonderful topic."
Dr Laracy said a lack of attention to the topic in schools meant that even some children of Samoan friends did not know what Prime Minister Helen Clark had apologised for last week.
At the same time, he defended the study of British kings and queens at a senior "academically elite" level in schools as it linked New Zealand to knowledge that remained deep in people's consciousness.
Other history teachers fear that the history curriculum is not focused enough on other aspects of the country's own history. Northcote College history head Graeme Ball, who is writing a textbook on 20th century New Zealand history, said the study of the Tudor and Stuart eras of Britain's past remained dominant at seventh-form level.
Only a minority of schools elected to teach 19th century New Zealand history as a major option.
Although English history was studied because the Westminster political system derived from these times, there was plenty more scope for studying our own past, including late 19th century Prime Minister Richard Seddon's aspirations for New Zealand to become a colonial power.
At the same time, Mr Ball had nothing against the study of ancient British monarchs. "As far as I'm concerned, all history is good history."
SENIOR HISTORY CURRICULUM
* Year 11 (Form 5) - Level 1, National Certificate of Educational Achievement
New Zealand: 1891-1980; search for security 1945-1985.
Maori and social welfare 1918-1998; Maori and Pakeha relations, 1912-1980; post-colonial world 1950-1998; Te Tiriti O Waitangi 1975-1998; population movement 1946-1988.
USA: 1929-1970; Black civil rights 1954-1970.
South Africa: 1938-1976.
Origins of World War II.
China: 1921-1949.
USSR: 1924-1957.
Women (NZ): Health 1915-1985.
Ireland: 1909-1922.
Palestine-Israel: 1935-1967.
Year 12 (Form 6) - Sixth Form Certificate
Britain: Industrial age 1830-1870; women and democracy.
New Zealand: Economic change 1879-1913; women, family and work 1880-1960; colony to nation 1840-1947; identity 1890-1980.
Maori: Leadership, 19th century.
Western Samoa: New state in South Pacific.
Japan: Industrialism 1867-1930.
Europe: States system 1815-1856.
Italy: Unification.
Germany: Bismarck; Weimar and Nazi regimes.
Origins of World War I.
Nuclear age: 1945-present.
Revolution: Russia and America.
Australia: 1788-1850s.
China: Anti-imperialism.
India: Gandhi.
Making of Malaysia.
Vietnam and Indo-China: conflict.
Rhodesia and Zimbabwe.
* Year 13 (Form 7) UE
England 1558-1667: economy and society; government and politics, revolution, restoration.
New Zealand 19th century: Maori/Pakeha relations; economic and political change, society and attitudes.
Special study: topics include World War II, French Revolution, Crusades, New Zealand, Tudor or Stuart England.
Test your knowledge of the country's less-illustrious past:
Answers are at the end.
1. Because of the influx of Chinese immigrants, the New Zealand Government in 1888 restricted immigrant-carrying ships to how many Chinese passengers per 100 tons of freight?
2. A poll tax was also imposed on Chinese immigrants in 1888. What year was it abolished and when were they allowed to become New Zealand citizens?
3. How many Japanese prisoners-of-war were killed or wounded during an uprising at Featherston Camp in 1943?
4. What year featured the infamous dawn raids which targeted Pacific Islanders?
5. What was decriminalised on July 9, 1986?
6. How were non-British immigrants screened in 1907?
7. Who was the New Zealander who led the 1400 troops who annexed Samoa on August 29, 1914?
Answers:
1. One
2. 1944 and 1952
3. 48 prisoners died, 63 were wounded
4. 1976
5. Homosexuality
6. They had to pass a 100-word reading test.
7. Colonel Robert Logan, from Maniototo in Otago.
New Zealand's Pacific past in the spotlight
By MATHEW DEARNALEY and DITA DE BONI
The Prime Minister's apology to Samoa has focused attention on the teaching of local history in schools.
The revelations of dark deeds committed by New Zealand administrations in Samoa early last century came as a surprise to most people.
But comparing the English History Reader,
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