Year 13 students bring history to life: a journey through Northland
Posted on May 05, 2025
Year 13 History students from Macleans College recently undertook a two-day field trip to key historical sites in Northland. The journey supported their research for an upcoming internal assessment.
The trip began at Ruapekapeka Pā, the site of the final battle of the Northern Wars. Students examined the defensive structures and learnt about the strategies Māori used to resist British forces. Walking through the historic site provided a vivid and meaningful connection to their studies.
The group then travelled to Kerikeri to visit the Stone Store and Mission House - New Zealand’s oldest surviving stone and wooden buildings. Tours of the buildings offered insights into early missionary life and the significance of trade and interaction between Māori and European settlers.
Later that day, students crossed by ferry to Russell (Kororāreka), once a bustling and sometimes lawless port town. They explored the historic waterfront and climbed to Flagstaff Hill, where they learnt about the tensions between Māori and British settlers, including the symbolic cutting down of the flagstaff.
On the second day, the group visited the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Students toured the Treaty House, explored the museum and saw the flagstaff marking the site where New Zealand’s founding document, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, was first signed in 1840. Guided sessions and exhibits enhanced their understanding of the treaty’s lasting impact on Aotearoa.
Throughout the trip, students gathered valuable information and deepened their understanding of New Zealand’s history from multiple perspectives.
The experience offered two days of engaging learning, exploration and reflection - bringing history beyond the classroom and into real life.