Inquiry | Maritime Museum | Explorers & Adventurers

LI: to study the history of NZ maritime explorers.

This week, Wednesday 12th of Febuary, LS1 took a trip to Maritime Museum to learn and study about the history of explorers and adventurers. Firstly, we were introduced to Lee, who helped us to understand more about the Museum, along with Peter. Maritime means something connected with the sea, that was why when we visited the Maritime museum, the main theme was around boats and ocean.

Next we were split into two groups and one group started to explore the Museum with a treasure map. The other group sat with Lee and learnt about the histories of a few explorers and adventurers of New Zealand (Kupe, Abel Tasman, Captain Cook, Sir Peter Blake & Kuramārōtini).

After an hour, the two groups swapped places. Another hour went by and we were getting ready to leave the Museum.

I enjoyed this trip because we learnt alot about the history of New Zealand explorers. This trip was also interesting because it was based around an ocean/water theme, therefore we learnt alot about New Zealand explorers that were known for sailing and traveling. Here is the story of Abel Tasman:

Abel Tasman
Able Tazman was a skilled navigator and traveler. He traveled from Europe all the way to New Zealand in 1642. Abel Tasman and his men were confirmed to be the first ever Europeans to encounter with Maori. When arriving to New Zealand, Abel Tasman looked through the telescope and saw Maori people, coming towards them in their boats. Abel Tasman heard their Maori call, thinking it was a welcome call. Although it was really just a call saying "Who are you, you are not welcome in our territory." Abel sent some men in rowing boats to greet them.

Once the Maori saw that they were rowing 'backwards'. The Maori thought it was unusual and once they heard the trumpeting of Abel, they heard it as a fighting call. The Maori rammed the rowing boats, so Abel was forced to take action and kill the Maori. This was not a very positive ending because both Maori and Abel lost their lives in this short war.