The Need for Treaty of Waitangi

Previously in Social Studies, created a visual text that implied and highlights the difference and similarities between the "Treaty of Waitangi" as well as "The Fort LaramieTreaty". In this text, we now look at the big picture in which we piece together what we've learned. Recollecting our knowledge of the treaty. An essay is formed with these fragments, to answer the thesis which asks "Why was a Treaty needed in New Zealand?". 

In writing this essay it has given me an insightful look at the events that occurred in leading, during and after the treaty was signed. It has made me realise the importance of law and order. How the introduction of colonialism affects nations. How hundreds of years of political conflicts lead to solitude. How second chances to release this solitude are important.

PDF:

Why Was The Treaty Needed in New Zealand?

Painting of the treaty signing by Marcus King, 1938 (Alexander Turnbull Library, G-821-2)

Year 10 Writing Portfolio

In the duration of the year, we have created several pieces of work that compiles to the big idea of writing. Throughout, these text have been varying, with one as obvious, a Narrative --creative writing-- whereas the other two are essays. The text varies in not only contents but in style. In which words and phrases often differentiate. These changes occurred suddenly across the term, subjects with of the term vary. These texts are created as a task for completing a topic, in one of the terms, we had to make a visual text, rather than written. 

The texts are arranged by their date of completion with the latest --One Hundred Years of Solitude. I have enjoyed adapting and experiencing the many different media of writing and exploring the vast genres. So far the latest is one that I enjoyed writing extremely. I consider reading for anyone who haven't, to read the book, One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez.

PDFs:

Creative Writing: Marlow McRroy

Close Viewing Essay: Power of One

Written Text Essay: One Hundred Years of Solitude

Treaties: What are they?

Increasing our knowledge of New Zealand history, we begin to look at the general information regarding treaties. For this, we look at other treaties that have existed around the world. Though firstly we came to the conclusion of what a treaty was, an agreement between nations, it a written binding and are obliged by international law. A treaty that I researched is between the Native Americans/Indians and the White Americans. To be specific, "The Fort Laramie Treaty". 

Within looking at both treaties, similarities between the two arose. 

The treaty only lasted until gold was found in the mining grounds of Black Hills, Dakota. 1868-1874. The treaties both mention that ownership of the land would be authorised to the First Nations. The ‘colonisers’ would end up having control of the land in question. Feud would occur and fights between the two nations happened because of a breach. It would seem as if the more advanced nation would alter and form the agreement in their favour. Another similarity is the controversy that surrounds what the treaty had actually symbolised. 

Sovereignty was the main concern for both treaties, in which First Nations--who would’ve had the authority over their nation--were then met by another nation. The other nation would claim their authority over the First Nations--who were already there in the first place. In addition, the lands were lost over unclear political and government disputes and are still debated in the current years.

A poster that I've created, depicting the fight between the Native American/Sioux and the Whites:

                     

Tawhirimatea

During the first several sessions of Social Studies, we look at the Maori culture; starting with the beliefs that they had. Legends, stories or gods appear in most if not all of the cultures, beliefs of the magical creatures and myths that appear throughout. Maori culture is not different from this, gods have also appeared in the Maori beliefs, similarities can also be seen from other cultures. We looked at the different gods and their similarities and differences. For the presentation, we were to choose a god from the Maori mythology and a god from another mythology that comes from another culture. I have chosen, Tawirimatea and Zeus for this poster, noting down their similarity and what kind of gods they were-- gods of weather.

The Population of People Residing in New Zealand

In this term, we have been looking at the 'Treaty of Waitangi'. In doing so we look at the history of New Zealand. The history of people of Maori descent and the colonization that happened around 2 centuries ago. Through this study, we also have learnt some of the terms used in the culture of Maori and their beliefs. The information then began to lead up to the signing of the 'treaty' and the conflicts between the Maori themselves and Europeans. In this session, we began to look at the population--the difference-- between the Maori and Europeans starting from specifically 1836-1901.  In this, we see the increase in the population of Europeans in contrast to the decline of Maori.

The decline of Maori happened predominantly because of conflict. It may have happened due to the sudden influx of the Europeans and especially the muskets. Although conflict was not uncommon between the Maori iwis but the involvement of guns increased the number of deaths. This resulted in a decline in population. Other reasons may have come from the diseases--foreign diseases-- that the Europeans brought in. The Europeans saw a great opportunity to trade with the Maori, in addition, they also had fewer mechanisms and were less advance which the Europeans took advantage of. This resulted in big gains, for the Europeans, whales and seals that were killed --with the help of Maori-- were traded with other countries which gave them more money. 

Hence, as trading got bigger more Europeans came and in doing so colonized Aotearoa.

Pepeha: My Mihi

Looking back I have created a 'Mihi' in the past. During lessons before we looked at the Maori culture, this involved, Waka, Iwi and the culture that surrounds the people of New Zealand. Included in this are Mihi--Pepeha. I have revised some parts of my Mihi,, though the old Mihi will be included. 

Separated into groups we also looked --our group-- specifically on the details about Iwi. 'Iwi means bones--relevant background and line of descent. Ngati means “descended from” usually heard when [before an ] Iwi is mentioned. It was important to tell others where one came from and so a “system” was created. They would identify with a mountain, an ocean, lake and land around their area of tribe.'

Old Mihi:

Revised: 

Ko Arayat toku maunga

Ko Pacific toku moana

Ko Pampanga River toku awa

Ko Pampanga toku rohe

Ko Santiago, Sangalang tōku ingoa whānau

Ko Axle toku ingoa

Nō reira, tēna koutou, tēna koutou, tēna koutou katoa.

Genius Hour: Passion Project

During the last several weeks of Term 3, we have started 'Genius Hour', within that `Passion Projects`. A past blog post was published several weeks past, giving an overview of the process.  He has completed the project that we were working on--life-sized sculptures. The idea of the character that we made into the sculpture came from a Japanese Theater-- Kabuki--the character 'The Beast King' was one of great designs, and so, of great interest. The costume included an extravagant display and great visuals. The project was finished in the duration of the first week of the current term.  A slide was also created to detail our experience and intricacies of the project. It was an immense experience and effort for the team, though it was exuberance. 

Courtesy: MartyGrossFilms : Lion Dance

Slide: